Dinner:
The SF-25 was able to run for 200 km on its home circuit with both drivers. The team confirmed that the test execution was generally smooth, with no negative surprises. The engineers have begun the standard learning process for the SF-25, collecting the necessary data for the car’s first assessments: installation data, correlation, systems, electronics, procedures, and mechanical checks. Similarly, the drivers were finally able to test the ergonomics and functions of their new cockpit on track.
After the TPC, Hamilton had requested some modifications, which were already implemented. A few minor adjustments were also requested in the evening at Fiorano and will be refined for Bahrain. However, these are not major changes, and there are no significant differences compared to Leclerc’s settings. “I’m not yet at the level I want to be, and I know it. Everything is different, I have to work on it a lot,” admitted Lewis after the test.
The work done by the two drivers was not identical: Leclerc, being more familiar with the team, had the opportunity to push harder and work on ride heights, even though pure performance was not the main objective. Hamilton, on the other hand, focused primarily on getting more comfortable with the car and fine-tuning his requests. In the end, both expressed positive feedback.
Fiorano has never been a benchmark for absolute performance with this generation of cars. This is even more true when demo tires and different conditions year to year affect results. Neither of the two programs aimed at pushing for lap times, as the engineers are able to piece together the necessary information without needing to see fast laps at Fiorano.
The car features a much more efficient DRS system compared to the previous model, which relied on a heavily loaded fixed beam wing. On certain tracks, that “do-it-all” wing limited qualifying performance due to a weaker DRS effect. The SF-25 is expected to work in the opposite way, utilizing various beam wing adjustments to optimize performance. This concept aligns closely with what McLaren and, earlier, Red Bull introduced, but with a refined medium-load specification.
T4 in Bahrain has negative camber and is high traction with understeer built into it, i agree with you that if that’s a problem it will show up there.DJ Downforce wrote:We don't know the setup they were running. If it's a big problem the car will express it at Bahrain
Exactly, it's actually the best case scenario as the team will have time to hopefully dial it out.dialtone wrote: ↑21 Feb 2025, 17:01T4 in Bahrain has negative camber and is high traction with understeer built into it, i agree with you that if that’s a problem it will show up there.DJ Downforce wrote:We don't know the setup they were running. If it's a big problem the car will express it at Bahrain
Clickbait or someone who doesn't know what he/she is talking about.LurkingMostly wrote: ↑21 Feb 2025, 13:57Even though the shakedown didn't have problems, the car could have a potential, specific problem.
According to this blog, an anomalous behavior of the car was noticeable during both Leclerc's and Hamilton's runs. Specifically, when the drivers pushed for pace in one specific right-hand downhill curve, the car exhibited noticeable nervousness, requiring strong and immediate countersteering corrections and resulting in time losses. The author of the posts points out that this particular kind of curve doesn't really exists on the calendar (except maybe at Spa), but he raises questions about potential mechanical issues with the suspension, or aerodynamic problems at the rear.
So it's normal that the car was behaving "nervous" at times.During the Shakedown Ferrari tested extreme setups with the SF-25 to gather data for Bahrain. Initial impressions indicated a well-balanced car with solid front-end handling, but some understeer. Setup adjustments resulted in oversteer as Ferrari explored the car's response. The day ended with the SF-25 showing good handling and performance, setting the stage for the upcoming tests in Bahrain. Overall the first day was promising
Exactly, just extreme setups.sypack wrote: ↑21 Feb 2025, 20:00Clickbait or someone who doesn't know what he/she is talking about.LurkingMostly wrote: ↑21 Feb 2025, 13:57Even though the shakedown didn't have problems, the car could have a potential, specific problem.
According to this blog, an anomalous behavior of the car was noticeable during both Leclerc's and Hamilton's runs. Specifically, when the drivers pushed for pace in one specific right-hand downhill curve, the car exhibited noticeable nervousness, requiring strong and immediate countersteering corrections and resulting in time losses. The author of the posts points out that this particular kind of curve doesn't really exists on the calendar (except maybe at Spa), but he raises questions about potential mechanical issues with the suspension, or aerodynamic problems at the rear.
So it's normal that the car was behaving "nervous" at times.During the Shakedown Ferrari tested extreme setups with the SF-25 to gather data for Bahrain. Initial impressions indicated a well-balanced car with solid front-end handling, but some understeer. Setup adjustments resulted in oversteer as Ferrari explored the car's response. The day ended with the SF-25 showing good handling and performance, setting the stage for the upcoming tests in Bahrain. Overall the first day was promising
Thank you for the update. To me the most important piece of information is that both drivers have a similar driving style. This will help out IMMENSELY during in-season development. Having a single line of focus and not disrupting one of the drivers style's is big. I'm excited for this season.LurkingMostly wrote: ↑20 Feb 2025, 03:10According to the author of this video, which seems to be trustworthy when it comes to having contacts in and around Ferrari:
- Shakedown has gone really well overall, if you consider lap times, lack of problems and how satisfied the two drivers looked. These facts can't be denied, according to the video's author. Still, until there is a direct comparison with other teams, it is better not to get hyped.
- There was a little problem that caused a 30 minutes stop (video's author didn't specify what it was), but once resolved both drivers completed the program without other problems.
- As far as drivability goes, the car looked good (to the eyes of the author of this video, who is a racing instructor).
- They tried a lot of different setups. On a certain lap, you can see the car understeer. On a different lap, you can see it oversteer. Those outcomes were caused by them trying out setups at different extremes.
- When the car was creating a lot of sparks, that was the consequence of using a setup that was both low and soft. That was used to try and test if it would result in porpoising, which didn't happen.
- Lap times were great. Both drivers consistently ran below 0:57:000 (track record is 0:55.999, set 20 years ago by the F2004).
- Leclerc's program was a little bit more extreme than Hamilton's. Hamilton's program was more conventional.
- Leclerc stint 1 and 2: done with a balanced car. Lap times were already good by lap 7.
- Leclerc stint 3: extreme setup that caused understeer.
- Leclerc stint 4: extreme setup in the opposite direction. This caused oversteer.
- Leclerc stint 5: done with a balanced car again. Comprised of a series of out lap/push lap/cooldown lap.
This is where Leclerc set his best time: 0:56:060.
- Hamilton was fast from the get-go and looked at ease with the car. The author of the video knows Hamilton's times, but doesn't want to reveal them to avoid comparisons with Leclerc (doesn't want to cause drama I guess, might have been requested by his contacts telling him the times). Even so, he implies Hamilton was running consistently around 0:56:400 (that's my guess based on his words, might be wrong).
- Hamilton apparently tested with more fuel compared to Leclerc.
- Apparently, both drivers have a driving style that goes in the same direction. They want the same things from the car (might imply that this wasn't the case with Leclerc/Sainz, but maybe not).
Lots of information that I don't think you can find anywhere else, if you can leave a like to his video!
Ahhh Massimo! love this, they've been doing this pre-season dinner for about 5 years now?