Ferrari’s Struggle in 2025: Is Giving Up the Right Choice?

Ferrari, one of the most storied and successful teams in Formula 1 history, is facing a crisis of confidence as it heads into the 2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Can a team with Ferrari’s rich legacy and vast resources throw in the towel before the season is even over? Is it really time to accept defeat and abandon the current project, or is there still a glimmer of hope for the Scuderia?

In this article, we will explore Ferrari’s current predicament in the 2025 season, examining the technical failures of their SF25 car, the reasons behind their inability to fight for wins, and whether or not it is a wise decision to focus on the future instead of salvaging a season that seems already lost.

The State of Ferrari in 2025

As Ferrari prepares for the Azerbaijan GP, it’s hard to escape the feeling that the team is already resigned to the fact that this season will not be one for the history books. The SF25, which was meant to challenge the dominance of teams like Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes, has proven to be a monumental failure. Rather than pushing the boundaries of performance, the car has exposed the team’s technical shortcomings and their inability to adapt to the rapidly evolving F1 landscape.

At its core, Ferrari has a car that is fundamentally flawed. The SF25 has shown early signs of problems from its very first laps on the track, even before the season started in Melbourne. While other teams have been able to adapt and fine-tune their machines, Ferrari has struggled to overcome the SF25’s inherent design flaws. In short, the SF25 has proven to be more of a hindrance than a help to the team.

The SF25’s Technical Failures

The issues with Ferrari’s 2025 car go beyond minor tweaks and adjustments. The problems run deep, and they are rooted in the fundamental design of the SF25.

One of the most significant issues with the SF25 lies in its ride height. The car simply cannot operate within the optimal height range required to generate effective aerodynamic downforce. In Formula 1, where the floor is the primary generator of downforce due to ground effect, this is a critical problem. Ferrari has tried to compensate for this with various suspension changes and tweaks to the chassis, but nothing has worked. The car remains ineffective and underperforming, often feeling unpredictable on the track.

Charles Leclerc has openly expressed his frustration, stating on several occasions that the car lacks aerodynamic load. But the problem is not simply a matter of Ferrari having less downforce than Red Bull or McLaren. The real issue is the inconsistency in the distribution and effectiveness of that downforce. The SF25 only operates efficiently within a very narrow window, making it highly sensitive to track conditions, temperature changes, and tire wear. Unfortunately, these factors are becoming more and more prevalent in the 2025 season, which makes Ferrari’s task even harder.

Another significant issue with the SF25 is the rear suspension. The car’s rear suspension is excessively rigid, which prevents it from adapting to the irregularities of the circuit, particularly when navigating curbs and bumps. While the rigidity was designed to maintain stability at high speeds, it has instead made the car uncomfortable and difficult to predict. This issue became glaringly evident during the China Grand Prix, where Lewis Hamilton was disqualified due to excessive wear on the floor – a direct result of the car’s constant contact with the ground.

The Breaking Point: The Azerbaijan Update Cancellation

Despite efforts to rectify these issues early in the season, Ferrari reached a breaking point when they decided to cancel a major update package for the Azerbaijan GP. This update had been developed over weeks in Maranello and had passed all the necessary validations in the wind tunnel. It was supposed to provide the team with the technical boost they so desperately needed. However, the team ultimately decided that continuing to develop the SF25 with this concept no longer made sense.

This decision to freeze development on the SF25 and abandon the update package signaled the end of any hope for a meaningful recovery in 2025. Ferrari has effectively resigned itself to the fact that the SF25 is a dead-end project, and no further improvements will be made to it. The car has been abandoned by its creators, and the focus has shifted to preparing for the future – namely, the 2026 season.

The Emotional Toll on Drivers and Team Morale

For Ferrari, the most significant consequence of the SF25’s technical failure is the loss of trust among the drivers. A driver can have all the talent in the world, but if the car doesn’t respond to their inputs, there’s little they can do to make up for it on track. Leclerc, who has managed to push the car to its limits despite its shortcomings, has spent far more time explaining the car’s deficiencies than celebrating its strengths. Hamilton, who joined Ferrari with the hope of closing his career with one final championship, has found himself frustrated by a car that has left him feeling more defeated than any of his worst years at Mercedes.

The car’s lack of predictability and failure to respond in critical moments has taken a mental toll on the team. When the drivers lose confidence in the car, it becomes a major obstacle to success. With no real hope of improving the SF25, Ferrari has no choice but to focus on the long-term future, particularly with the regulatory changes coming in 2026.

Project 678: Ferrari’s Hope for 2026

Ferrari’s focus has now shifted to Project 678, the internal code name for their 2026 car, which will be developed around a major overhaul of F1’s technical regulations. The new regulations, which will take effect in 2026, will include a reduction in the ground effect, changes to power unit architecture, and an emphasis on sustainable fuels and greater efficiency. For Ferrari, this is not just an evolution of the SF25, but a complete redesign of the way the team approaches car development.

Project 678 is being conceived as more than just a new car; it is a complete reset for Ferrari. The team is planning a radical departure from the SF25’s design philosophy, with a focus on improved torsional stiffness, better weight distribution, and an entirely new rear suspension system. The lessons learned from the SF25’s failures will be incorporated into the new car, making it more adaptable, stable, and capable of performing across a wider range of conditions.

One of the most ambitious aspects of Project 678 is the complete redesign of Ferrari’s internal cooling system. In 2025, Ferrari struggled with thermal instabilities, particularly on street circuits. The new design promises to address these issues with a more compact internal architecture, which will reduce resistance and free up space for better aerodynamic packaging.

Ferrari is also focusing on building a car that is not just fast in qualifying, but one that can maintain a consistent race pace. Tire management and race rhythm are areas where Ferrari has consistently struggled in recent years, and Project 678 aims to address these weaknesses head-on.

The Future of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari

One key aspect of Ferrari’s plans for 2026 is the involvement of Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is expected to play a significant role in the development of Project 678, offering input on critical areas like the distribution of weight, rear suspension, and overall car handling. For Hamilton, this car represents his final chance to win an eighth world title, and the pressure will be on Ferrari to deliver a car that can help him achieve that.

However, for Ferrari, the challenge goes beyond just building a fast car. They need to develop a car that is reliable, adaptable, and capable of performing in a variety of conditions. McLaren’s success in 2024 and 2025 has demonstrated that consistency is key in modern Formula 1, and Ferrari must adapt to this reality if they are to succeed in 2026.

Conclusion: A Difficult but Pragmatic Decision

The 2025 season has been a disaster for Ferrari, but rather than continuing to pour resources into a dead-end project, the team has wisely decided to cut its losses and shift focus to the future. Project 678 offers hope, but it will require not just technical innovation but a shift in Ferrari’s mentality. The team must stop looking back at past glories and start thinking about the future, embracing a culture of constant adaptation, digital strategy, and modern engineering.

Ferrari’s challenge is not just to build a fast car, but to build a car that is consistently fast, no matter the conditions. If they can do that, they will have a chance to secure a future that matches the legacy of their brand. For now, though, all eyes are on 2026, as Ferrari begins the long journey toward redemption.