Fans and experts are eager to see how Ferrari's latest upgrade impacts their performance in this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix. The team has introduced a new, heavily-upgraded floor on their SF-25 car, hoping to gain an edge in aerodynamic efficiency and speed.
What Changes Were Made?
Ferrari's engineers focused on several key areas of the car's floor to improve its aerodynamics. They re-designed the floor fences, giving the outer fence a new shape. The entire floor body has undergone a complete revision, including a reshaped tunnel and expanded diffuser. These modifications are aimed at increasing downforce, which helps the car stay glued to the track, especially through fast corners.
The back end of the floor received specific updates, with the diffuser adjusted for better airflow. The front section of the floor edge wing has been re-cambered and shortened. All these small changes are part of Ferrari's plan to optimize the car's overall load and stability during high-speed sections of the race.
The Impact and Expectations
Ferrari's team expects that the new floor will deliver a noticeable improvement in performance, giving their drivers better handling and speed on the demanding Red Bull Ring circuit. Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene mentioned that there will be some technical innovations, but acknowledged that the main benefit lies in optimizing the car’s existing package.
Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton downplayed any immediate hopes of a dramatic change. Leclerc said the upgrades are small steps to understand better what can be pushed in the future. Hamilton also emphasized that many other factors influence race results, including team strategies and driver consistency.
Nevertheless, the upgrade is seen as part of Ferrari's ongoing effort to close the gap with top contenders like McLaren and Red Bull. The Austrian GP, with its fast corners and standard race format, provides an ideal opportunity for Ferrari to test their improvements on the track and gather valuable data for future races.
Fans are hopeful that these aerodynamic updates will help Ferrari challenge for higher positions and possibly challenge the race leaders’ dominance. As the season progresses, similar upgrades are expected from other top teams, making the fight for the championship even more exciting.
