Ferrari F1 SF-25 vs McLaren F1 2025 – A Technical Breakdown with Engineer Riccardo Romanelli
In today’s episode of Race Tech, our guest, engineer Riccardo Romanelli, will analyze the front suspension choices made by Ferrari and McLaren ahead of the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season.
While 2025 marks the final year of the current technical regulations, teams are still pushing to refine their designs. Ferrari aims to challenge the reigning world champions with the SF-25, introducing a brand-new front suspension as its most significant innovation.
Compared to the SF-24, which will debut on February 26 during pre-season testing in Bahrain, the SF-25 features a Pull Rod front suspension, moving away from the Push Rod concept used in previous years.
What Is Camber? How Ferrari ’s F1 New Suspension Affects Performance
Many of our followers have asked about the impact of Ferrari’s new suspension on performance, and our expert will address two key questions:
- What is camber?
- How does the new suspension design affect the SF-25’s handling?
Understanding Camber
Camber refers to the angle of the tire relative to the car’s vertical axis and plays a crucial role in optimizing mechanical grip.
- Positive camber: The top of the wheel tilts outward (rare in F1).
- Negative camber: The bottom of the wheel extends outward, forming a bell-like shape when viewed from the front. This setup improves cornering grip.
Switching from Push Rod to Pull Rod doesn’t automatically improve performance. Instead, it alters suspension attachment points, allowing engineers to fine-tune the car’s setup more effectively. Despite the change in geometry, camber adjustments can follow similar patterns across different suspension designs.
Ferrari SF-25: Key Design Changes for 2025
Our guest will now highlight the most significant innovations in the Ferrari SF-25 and how they differ from its predecessor.
1. Aerodynamic Refinements
At the end of 2024, Ferrari introduced a new floor, which serves as the foundation for the SF-25. One of the most intriguing changes involves the redesigned airflow management under the sidepods:
- Slimmer sidepod undercuts improve airflow towards the rear.
- Smoother lower sidepod surfaces enhance airflow efficiency, directing it more effectively toward the floor and rear wheels.
- A more extreme floor design increases downforce while minimizing the risk of porpoising.
2. Redesigned Upper Sidepods and Rear Fin
- The upper sidepod profiles have been slightly raised, channeling cleaner air toward the rear of the car, reducing turbulence and energy loss.
- The shark fin has been downsized compared to the 2024 version, likely for weight reduction and improved stability.
Ferrari SF-25 vs McLaren MCL39: Direct Comparison
Now, let’s compare the SF-25 to the McLaren MCL39, the car that won the 2024 Constructors’ Championship.
Since both teams now use Pull Rod front suspension, direct comparisons are easier.
Key Differences in Suspension Design
- McLaren’s lower wishbone is mounted very low, similar to early Red Bull designs.
- Ferrari’s wishbone is positioned higher, affecting how vertical forces are absorbed.
- McLaren’s setup prioritizes ground effect efficiency, while Ferrari’s design offers greater setup flexibility.
Another interesting feature on the Ferrari is a small lateral bulge near the suspension mounting points. This could indicate a potential attachment modification, similar to what Mercedes experimented with in recent years. However, its exact function remains unclear for now.
McLaren’s Evolution vs Ferrari’s Aggressive Redesign
Has Ferrari made a revolutionary leap, or is McLaren’s evolution the smarter choice?
According to our guest Riccardo Romanelli, McLaren has taken a conservative approach, refining its strongest 2024 areas rather than making radical changes.
Ferrari, on the other hand, has introduced a much more aggressive evolution, aiming to close the gap with McLaren. The SF-25’s bold design choices reflect Ferrari’s commitment to catching up with the competition. However, only track performance will confirm whether this ambitious strategy pays off.
Watch the Full Episode of Race Tech on NewsF1’s YouTube Channel!
We’d like to thank Riccardo Romanelli for his valuable insights. Don’t miss the full episode of Race Tech 91, where we discuss these topics in even greater detail!
📢 Follow us on social media for the latest F1 updates, in-depth technical breakdowns, and exclusive content!
🔴 Ferrari SF-25 vs McLaren MCL39 – Suspension Battle! 🔧 RACE TECH 91
💬 How to enable English subtitles for our video:
Open the Video – Start by playing the video on YouTube.
Click on the “CC” Button – Look for the closed captions (CC) icon at the bottom of the video player and click it to enable subtitles (if available).
Go to Subtitle Settings – Click on the gear (⚙️) icon in the bottom-right corner of the player.
Select “Subtitles/CC” – A menu will appear. Click on “Subtitles/CC” to see the available options.
Choose “Auto-translate” – If English subtitles are not directly available, select “Auto-translate”, then scroll through the list and choose English.
Now, you will see English subtitles while watching the video!