In Monaco, the front wing and nose of the Ferrari are on display.
Ready to change their front suspension to a more Red Bull-esque design, Ferrari’s 2025 car would be more in line with an Adrian Newey concept as the team reportedly looks to sign the design guru.
It is rumored that Ferrari is at the forefront of the effort to secure the services of the former Red Bull design genius, Newey. This comes after the reigning World Champions revealed last month that Newey would be departing before the end of the first quarter of 2025.
‘As Ferrari continues its efforts to lure Adrian Newey’
All the pieces of the puzzle are in place, from undisclosed gatherings at an airport to trips to Maranello, indicating that a certain agreement has been reached. However, the final confirmation is still pending. Unfortunately, those eagerly awaiting this confirmation may have to exercise patience, as Eddie Jordan, Newey’s manager, asserts that no definite choices have been made yet.
But that doesn’t mean, at least according to Motorsport.com, that Ferrari aren’t hoping and even potentially preparing for the Briton’s arrival.
The publication states that insiders have indicated Ferrari’s designers have grasped crucial elements that could lead to improvements in the 2025 car. These insights might play a significant role in their intense competition with Red Bull and McLaren.
Ferrari, after years of following its own path, appears to be considering a transition to pull-rod front suspension. This move could potentially give them an advantage in this area, especially since they would probably make the switch in 2026 regardless.
Both Red Bull and McLaren have already adopted this configuration, as it offers clear aerodynamic advantages by enhancing the airflow around the front of the car and crucially, the venturi tunnels below.
The report mentioned that Ferrari may be considering adopting a front suspension similar to that of Red Bull. This development is part of Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to attract Adrian Newey, who is expected to join the team in 2026 after his current contract ends. Newey would play a crucial role in providing input for Ferrari’s future car designs.
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Under the current budget cap, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will have to focus on making gradual improvements this year, as team boss Vasseur clarified that significant changes are not feasible.
The decision of whether Ferrari will choose to make small incremental upgrades or make big changes, similar to what they did at Imola, will also be influenced by the calendar.
He stated that it is crucial to strike a balance due to the cost cap imposed by financial regulations. Moreover, we only provide updates when there is something significant to share.
It is crucial to bear in mind that performance is converging, leading to a significantly slower development rate compared to two years ago.
“This implies that whenever a team introduces an upgrade, the magnitude of improvement is relatively smaller compared to two years ago. Moreover, it highlights the growing significance of gains achieved through the setup, an aspect that should not be disregarded.”
Bringing novelties in two or three races is a more logical approach, taking into account the calendar sequence. It becomes challenging to maintain an adequate stock of spare parts when we have three consecutive Grand Prix without a break. Additionally, the inclusion of Sprint weekends adds another layer of complexity, as fine-tuning the car with just one practice session is not always straightforward.
“This implies that it is not solely focused on the development and manufacturing of parts; one must take into account numerous factors, such as the specific race track where the updates are implemented. Introducing an upgrade during the Monaco Grand Prix involves considerable risks, as does doing so during a sprint weekend.”
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