Ferrari SF-25: Loic Serra’s influence in testing behind cryptic results

The Ferrari SF-25 single-seater, which began the 2025 Formula 1 season with official winter pre-season testing session last week at the Bahrain circuit, left fans somewhat disappointed. The three-day session in Sakhir did show some technical progress, but not as much as was anticipated or hoped for ahead of a season with high expectations for the team led by Frederic Vasseur. The reasons behind this lack of performance remain unclear for now, but hypotheses and clues point to more concrete conclusions. One such hypothesis could be linked to Loic Serra’s intention to push the Ferrari SF-25 car to its limits during the testing session in Bahrain.

At the end of the three-day test, Ferrari’s performance cannot be labeled as either negative or positive, which means that the SF-25 single-seater is awaiting its true test at the first round of the 2025 Formula 1 championship, the Australian Grand Prix, which is set to take place at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne on Sunday, March 16. Questions arose during the tests as the SF-25 displayed inconsistent dynamic behavior, fluctuating between understeer, oversteer, and neutral balance. However, one element remained relatively stable: the car’s rear-end behavior.

This rear end, supported by an improved pull-rod suspension, became the focus of extensive analysis by Ferrari’s technicians and engineers. A comparative study was conducted in order to understand how it integrated with the front suspension, which was revolutionized by switching to a pull-rod configuration. Under Loic Serra’s guidance, the Maranello team explored the full range of possible adjustments to better understand tire behavior and response. The verdict on the front suspension remains unknown, but onboard footage at the 5.412-kilometre Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir and steering inputs suggest that the SF-25 has a strong front end. The car enters corners well and maintains its line once it reaches the apex.

The Ferrari SF-25 hit the track in Bahrain with a medium-to-low downforce setup. This was evident from the choice of rear wing, which featured a pronounced V-shape to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. However, this approach does not align well with the Bahrain circuit, which favors a stable and well-planted rear end. By running a lower-downforce wing, Ferrari deliberately put the SF-25 in a challenging situation, causing the rear to drift outward in high-speed, long-duration corners.

Seeing the SF-25 on track, many wondered whether the setup was simply off or if the car was fundamentally flawed. However, it appears that Ferrari intentionally chose to test the new wing on a circuit that demands a solid rear end. A video recently released by the official social media accounts of Ferrari supports this theory, showing the SF-25 single-seater fitted with a different rear wing. In the footage, which captures the application of sponsor decals, stickers and labels to the car, the SF-25 is seen with an alternative rear configuration. The onboard images reveal that this version features a medium-downforce wing, frequently used on its predecessor, the SF-24.

The wing seen in the video is the one many have dubbed the “all-purpose wing.” This configuration provides more downforce and thus greater rear stability—something Ferrari lacked during the 2025 tests. It seems that the Maranello technicians and engineers intentionally ran with a lower-downforce setup to better understand the car ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix, which will require a similar rear-wing configuration.