Ferrari Set for Major F1 2025 Upgrades at Imola and Barcelona

Ferrari Targets F1 2025 Revival with Major Car Upgrades at Imola and Barcelona

After a slow start to the season, Ferrari is banking on technical rule changes and a critical development package to regain competitiveness

Ferrari is gearing up for a critical juncture in its Formula 1 2025 campaign, with a major upgrade package scheduled to debut at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola. The updates are expected to target aerodynamic weaknesses and help the team close the gap to McLaren and Mercedes following a lackluster season start.

Despite Charles Leclerc's solitary podium in Jeddah, Ferrari has struggled to match the performance strides made by its rivals. Now, with both technical revisions and strategic development updates on the horizon, the team hopes to spark a mid-season resurgence.

FIA Clampdown Could Level the Playing Field

A pivotal factor in Ferrari’s optimism is the upcoming FIA regulation change regarding front wing flexibility, set to take effect at the Spanish Grand Prix in late May. These new, stricter dynamic tests aim to expose and limit the use of flexible aero components that teams may currently be exploiting to gain a competitive edge under cornering loads, despite passing static legality checks.

Leclerc suggested that these changes could impact McLaren and Mercedes most, possibly reshuffling the order at the front. “It could change things quite a lot,” he commented earlier this week. “Some teams might lose more than others.”

Imola and Barcelona: Ferrari’s Twin Upgrade Strategy

The SF-25, Ferrari’s 2025 challenger, has been consistently trailing the front-runners, with the team averaging 0.323 seconds slower than McLaren in qualifying across the past four rounds. While the Scuderia did improve compared to last season, its gain of 0.857s relative to the 2024 car lags behind McLaren’s 1.359s leap, underlining the need for more aggressive development.

At Imola, Ferrari will debut the first phase of its aero upgrade package, focusing on resolving chronic rear-end instability. This issue has notably affected Lewis Hamilton, whose braking and corner-entry confidence have suffered. Leclerc, by contrast, has managed to adapt his driving style better to the SF-25’s limitations.

Two weeks later, at Barcelona, the full suite of upgrades will be deployed, including enhancements aimed at boosting downforce and overall chassis balance. Engineers believe this track will be the clearest indicator yet of whether Ferrari’s development path is on target.

A Make-or-Break Moment

While Ferrari is hopeful, the team remains cautious. Technical chief Enrico Cardile emphasized that Barcelona will be a litmus test, not only for Ferrari’s own updates but also in comparison to what their rivals will bring.

“It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking an upgrade alone will close the gap,” Cardile noted. “We expect McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull to bring new parts as well, so the real question is: who develops fastest from here?”

Previous changes, like the rear wing flexibility directive, did little to alter the pecking order – a reminder that regulation tweaks don’t always deliver the expected shake-up.

What’s at Stake

With Red Bull maintaining their position at the top, and McLaren showing clear signs of evolution, Ferrari’s window for mounting a credible title challenge is rapidly narrowing. The coming races will not only determine the viability of the SF-25’s concept but also test the impact of the team’s high-stakes development strategy.

Should the upgrades fail to deliver, Ferrari could soon shift focus toward 2026’s all-new regulations—a decision that may come sooner than expected.

Stay tuned to The Horizons Times for in-depth analysis from Imola and exclusive insight into how Ferrari’s upgrades perform against fierce competition in Barcelona.