Ferrari may switch to Red Bull’s F1 suspension concept after Hamilton’s arrival

In particular, it could finally go the route that world champion Red Bull has put to good use with its linkage front suspension concept.

Ferrari has already managed to make significant progress this year with its SF-24, winning races and finding itself at the center of a three-way battle with Red Bull and McLaren that could yet secure title glory.

However, as teams reach their limits under current rules, it becomes increasingly difficult to find benefits that can impact their fight for success.

The major development package introduced for the Imola Grand Prix has seen some benefits, while another aero package is scheduled for the British GP – originally scheduled for Hungary.

Meanwhile, two more rear wings appear after the one tested in Monaco. A low-drag version will be available in Canada, followed by a version best suited to medium-speed tracks from Spain.

But the way Ferrari attacks improvements is changing, with team boss Fred Vasseur admitting this week that profits are much harder to achieve.

“With cost constraints and current regulations, both sides need to be managed, and we will make improvements when we have something to offer,” he said.

Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari SF-24

Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

“We must remember that we are dealing with a certain convergence of results, and the pace of development is much lower than two years ago. This means that every time someone makes an improvement, and I think that’s true for us, but it’s true for everyone, the profit is less than it was two years ago, and that’s normal.

Dwindling profits and Ferrari’s desire not to take full advantage of the momentum the team is currently gaining have sparked discussion that Ferrari may be ready to make more aggressive changes to the car for 2025 than might have been expected a few months ago.

Work on next year’s competition has already begun, and Vasseur said three projects are currently underway in Maranello.

“Part of the team is working on the next updates that we will see this season, and another part is already focusing on next year’s single-seater car,” he said. “We have already given consent for the car for 2025. Moreover, work on the 2026 power unit has already started some time ago. Regarding the chassis and aerodynamics, we can hypothesize a few concepts, but nothing more, considering that there are no regulations yet.

Speculation about the 2025 car suggests that Ferrari might be willing to make some big changes to it, rather than going with a straight evolution of the SF-24, so as not to waste any resources on the 2026 regulations.

Sources suggest that Ferrari designers have understood several key aspects that will benefit the car for 2025 and could make a big difference in the fierce battle with Red Bull and McLaren.

One area of concern is that after years of doing its own thing, Ferrari may be ready to move to a stick front suspension – with the idea of being ahead of the game in this aspect, considering it will likely make the change in 2026. Anyway.

Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-24

Photo: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images

Red Bull and McLaren already have this setup, and the design clearly has aerodynamic advantages, improving airflow around the front of the car and, crucially, in the venturi tunnels underneath.

Such a suspension modification would require an entirely new chassis, as new wishbone mountings and internal mechanism movement would be required.

Any decision to change the suspension could also open the door to changing the driving position, which could help improve weight distribution as the team will look to find benefits in every possible area.

Ferrari’s potential move towards a more Red Bull-style front suspension comes as the team continues its efforts to lure Adrian Newey on board to help build its 2026 car, following his release from his current contract early next year.