With System 1’s sweeping 2026 rules quick approaching, Ferrari faces a fragile balancing act: extracting most efficiency from its 2025 SF-25 challenger whereas concurrently laying the groundwork for its next-generation machine, codenamed “Undertaking 678.”
Managing this twin growth path below the constraints of System 1’s Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions (ATR) might be pivotal in figuring out Ferrari’s aggressive standing, each within the instant future and because the sport enters a brand new period in 2026.
Loic Serra, Ferrari’s lately appointed technical director, has devised a strategic roadmap to optimize the group’s assets whereas guaranteeing a easy transition between its 2025 and 2026 tasks. A key facet of this technique includes the meticulous allocation of wind tunnel time to steadiness short-term positive factors with long-term innovation.
The overhaul of F1’s rules in 2026 supplies a possibility for all groups to reset their designs, but this potential reset comes with important challenges. Growing two aggressive automobiles concurrently requires a cautious distribution of engineering focus and computational assets to keep away from compromising both mission.
Aerodynamic Testing Restrictions: The Key Variable
Ferrari’s method is closely influenced by ATR guidelines, which decide wind tunnel allocation based mostly on the earlier season’s Constructors’ Championship outcomes. Having secured second place within the 2024 standings, Ferrari enters 2025 with 900 hours of wind tunnel time for the primary half of the yr—60 greater than defending champions McLaren however 60 fewer than Pink Bull.
Nonetheless, ATR allowances are recalculated mid-season following the Canadian Grand Prix, adjusting for the newest championship positions. This technique provides an additional layer of complexity, making early-season effectivity essential for Ferrari’s growth trajectory.
With a finite variety of wind tunnel hours out there, Ferrari’s engineers should rigorously weigh their priorities—maximizing the SF-25’s potential whereas guaranteeing adequate assets are dedicated to the intensive challenges of the 2026 rules.
SF-25: Ferrari’s Speedy Focus
Beneath Serra’s management, Ferrari is dedicating the vast majority of its early 2025 growth efforts to the SF-25. In response to a report from Autoracer.it, the group plans to pay attention its wind tunnel periods totally on refining the SF-25 for a minimum of the primary 4 months of the season.
This determination stems from the numerous design shift between the SF-24 and SF-25, leaving Ferrari with minimal comparative information. Understanding the SF-25’s aerodynamics would require substantial wind tunnel testing earlier than the group can confidently shift focus to the subsequent mission.
Compounding the problem is a brand new FIA technical directive set to be enforced by the Spanish Grand Prix, aimed toward additional proscribing versatile wing designs. Adapting to this regulation will demand further testing and aerodynamic refinements, additional consuming Ferrari’s allotted wind tunnel hours.
Of the 900 wind tunnel hours out there within the first half of 2025, roughly two-thirds are being allotted to the SF-25. This contains 180 hours devoted to high-speed testing on the up to date wind tunnel flooring put in at Maranello in mid-2024.
Whereas this instant focus is important for staying aggressive within the 2025 season, it additionally implies that Ferrari should be extremely strategic in managing its remaining assets for Undertaking 678.
Undertaking 678: Ferrari’s 2026 Ambitions
Regardless of prioritizing the SF-25 within the brief time period, Ferrari stays aware of the significance of the 2026 regulatory overhaul. Since his official begin on October 1, 2024, Serra has assembled a specialised group targeted completely on the event of Undertaking 678, guaranteeing that work on the long run automobile is already nicely underway.
Ferrari’s long-term technique hinges on a gradual shift in wind tunnel utilization because the yr progresses. By mid-2025, because the SF-25 reaches a extra refined state and requires fewer elementary aerodynamic updates, Ferrari will start redirecting extra wind tunnel hours towards the 2026 mission.
This transition underscores the significance of laying the groundwork early whereas sustaining competitiveness in 2025. Though this method includes sacrifices within the current season, Ferrari goals to place itself as a number one power below the brand new rules.
A Balancing Act Shared by Rivals
Ferrari is just not alone in dealing with this problem—each group on the grid should navigate this delicate transition. The trade-off between instant success and long-term competitiveness is an important issue shaping selections throughout the paddock, with McLaren, Pink Bull, and others dealing with related dilemmas.
For Ferrari, this era represents extra than simply an engineering problem; it’s a take a look at of strategic foresight. The group’s potential to optimize ATR utilization, adapt to FIA mandates, and handle its assets successfully will outline its standing in each 2025 and 2026.
Because the season progresses, Ferrari’s emphasis will inevitably start shifting towards Undertaking 678. The query stays: can the Scuderia strike the best steadiness between its current ambitions and its future aspirations?
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
