Supporters of the Scuderia Ferrari will have to be patient. While it had been whispered for several days that the SF-25 would receive its new underpinnings as early as the Japanese Grand Prix, the latest news from Maranello finally indicates that the first package of evolutions will not make its appearance until Bahrain, the fourth round of the season. A decision that belies the rumours that Ferrari wanted to speed up its development programme to catch up with McLaren as quickly as possible.
It hasn't been an easy start to the year for Ferrari. In Australia, the team struggled to reach the points, only to be disqualified in China with both cars. Between these two setbacks, only the spectacular Sprint race in Shanghai gave Lewis Hamilton a brief glimpse of the true potential of the fast and promising SF-25.
Frédéric Vasseur, director of the Scuderia, continues to maintain that the SF-25 has all the potential needed to aim for the world title. However, the facts are clear: after two Grands Prix, Ferrari is already 61 points behind McLaren.
According to information reported by Corriere della SeraAll the changes initially planned (including the new bottom) are ready, but the Scuderia has decided not to take any risks at Suzuka. Ferrari prefers to stick to the original schedule rather than rush the process and expose itself to potential reliability or efficiency concerns. As a result, the new fund will finally arrive in Bahrain, as originally planned.
While this development should provide a small boost to ride height management, it won't solve the problem on its own, SF-25's main problem A rear axle that tends to sag, to the point of rapidly wearing out the skid under the car. In all likelihood, a more far-reaching correction will be needed if the single-seater is to exploit its aerodynamic downforce to the full without getting stuck to the ground.
In the Maranello workshops, the work of Loïc Serra, the new Technical Director, is more crucial than ever. The team knows the urgency of the situation: faced with an ultra-fast McLaren, every little gain counts. Although the Scuderia is banking on reliability and sticking to its plans, all eyes are already on Bahrain, where Ferrari will have to prove that this first package of improvements is a real step forward.