Formula 1 2025: Japan GP

The imprecise balance between downforce forces motivates challenging performance management because the vehicle cannot achieve its top potential performance. The Ferrari’s rear-end design with its lower profile does not operate efficiently because the aerodynamic equilibrium falls behind other competitors in the market.

The consequences are clear. The Maranello team understands the significance of race car setup at weekends for Formula 1 despite its inability to create changes unlike Red Bull and McLaren. The newly updated simulator has offered a setup compromise to address understeer issues that persist in Japan.

The future development strategy of the Prancing Horse needs careful consideration. The successful development of upcoming designs requires perfect execution because it led to the same issue Ferrari technicians and engineers faced at the Circuit de Catalunya in Spain the year before. Ferrari has to master their approach perfectly to cut down their deficit relative to front competitors.

During this time the Maranello team dedicated themselves to reducing the gap between their car and McLaren using their simulator system. The car undergoes the maneuver to minimize the rear-end load peak intensity as the development team works on enlarging the aerodynamic testing database.

The unique characteristic of absent intrinsic rotation demands the best possible management to allow Ferrari drivers to build confidence in driving the car. The Maranello team will perform essential aerodynamic efficiency tests throughout the weekend because this factor constitutes a vital component. The Italian media sources report that Ferrari engineers remain uncertain about a fundamental variable.

Ferrari’s efforts have been centered on addressing the interaction between aerodynamics and mechanical components. While these challenges are relatively minor, the team is confident that the issues we’ve previously highlighted can be fully resolved. None of them are severe enough to demand a complete redesign of major car components. The performance gap to McLaren is estimated at around three-tenths—smaller than what recent track performances suggest. Still, time is of the essence, and in Formula 1, there’s never enough of it.

The core problem lies in the car’s limited working window, which stems from the interplay between aerodynamics and mechanics. This constraint affects the car’s overall behavior and hampers its potential. A key factor is how downforce is regulated by the floor’s interaction with airflow across different driving phases and fuel loads.

The opening races of the 2025 Formula 1 season have made it challenging to assess the true drag levels of Ferrari’s SF-25. While the car has shown impressive top speeds, it’s still unclear whether this performance stems from its aerodynamic efficiency or if setup choices played a major role in boosting straight-line speed.

At Suzuka, Ferrari is expected to run the same rear wing configuration used in Melbourne—a design that strikes a balance between downforce and drag reduction. With three practice sessions available, the team will have ample opportunity to fine-tune their approach before qualifying, ensuring they select the optimal setup for the Japanese Grand Prix.