Ferrari’s Ambitious Path to a Championship-Winning Car: Three F1 Projects in Motion for 2025

Ferrari is in the midst of an ambitious development phase, simultaneously working on three distinct Formula 1 projects with the primary goal of delivering a championship-winning car by 2025. The legendary Italian team, led by Ferrari president John Elkann, has long aimed to return to the top of Formula 1, and the work currently underway is geared toward achieving that dream sooner than the initially stated target of 2026. The team is hoping that, with their intensive efforts and some major changes in personnel and technical direction, they can end a drought that has persisted since their last Constructors’ title in 2008 and Drivers’ title in 2007.

Elkann’s 2026 Prediction: A Championship in Sight

During the 2022 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, John Elkann made a bold prediction in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, confidently stating that Ferrari would win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships by 2026. This timeframe aligned with the upcoming changes to Formula 1’s regulations, which are expected to reset the competitive landscape. Elkann expressed optimism that Ferrari, led by Charles Leclerc, would emerge victorious by then, but the hope across the team and its passionate fan base is that success can come even sooner.

Ferrari’s journey back to championship contention has been a long one, with many near misses and struggles along the way. Yet, the team is working tirelessly behind the scenes to accelerate their return to dominance and challenge rivals like Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren before the rule changes take effect in 2026.

Ferrari’s Current Projects: SF-24, Project 677, and 2026 Development

As part of its multifaceted approach, Ferrari is currently developing three major projects:

The SF-24 Evolution: This is the final version of Ferrari’s current single-seater, set to debut at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin. With six races remaining in the 2024 season, Ferrari is focused on extracting the maximum performance from the SF-24 as they battle in a tightly contested championship. Although Ferrari’s victory at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza with Charles Leclerc was a high point, disappointing results followed in Azerbaijan and Singapore, underscoring the team’s inconsistent form. The SF-24 will see one last evolution, and the team hopes it can finish the season strong.
Project 677: Ferrari’s 2025 Car: This car is already in an advanced stage of development and represents Ferrari’s best shot at winning a championship before the regulatory reset in 2026. Project 677 is a radical departure from the SF-24, with significant changes to its chassis, suspension, and aerodynamics. Ferrari has made key technical innovations, including a new pull-rod front suspension design, a shorter gearbox housing, and a revised weight distribution aimed at enhancing the car’s aerodynamic efficiency and tire performance. The goal is to give the 2025 car a wide performance window that can compete consistently across a range of tracks.
The 2026 Car: While the focus is on 2025, Ferrari is also laying the groundwork for its 2026 car. Starting on January 1st, the team will ramp up efforts to design a car that complies with the new regulations, which are expected to shake up the competitive order. The 2026 car will incorporate lessons learned from Project 677, but it will also need to meet entirely new technical and aerodynamic challenges.

The Technical Overhaul: New Designs, New Leadership

The work on Project 677 represents a significant shift in Ferrari’s technical approach. The car will feature a brand-new chassis, designed by Fabio Montecchi’s team, that will see the driver sitting further back in the cockpit. This positioning is expected to improve the car’s handling and aerodynamics.

Another major change involves the switch from a push-rod to a pull-rod front suspension system, a design that has been successfully implemented by rivals like Red Bull and McLaren. While this change won’t offer huge mechanical advantages, it will provide more aerodynamic flexibility, allowing Ferrari’s designers to optimize the car’s downforce levels while reducing the negative effects of bouncing, a problem that has plagued many teams under the current regulations.

The car’s transmission has also been redesigned. Ferrari is opting for a shorter gearbox housing, which will enable them to move the engine further back. This change should improve the car’s overall weight distribution and allow for the creation of a more aerodynamically efficient diffuser, which is critical for generating downforce.

These changes are being overseen by Ferrari’s new technical team, following a period of leadership transition. Enrico Cardile, the team’s former technical director, resigned earlier this year and is set to join Aston Martin. However, Cardile was instrumental in setting the direction for Project 677 before his departure, and his influence will be seen in next year’s car. The responsibility for leading Ferrari’s technical efforts now falls to Loic Serra, a former Mercedes engineer, who joined Ferrari after a protracted recruitment effort by team principal Frederic Vasseur. Serra’s arrival marks a fresh start for the technical department, which will now work under his pragmatic and disciplined guidance.

Ferrari’s Competitive Outlook for 2025: Can Hamilton and Leclerc Deliver?

Ferrari is placing immense resources into Project 677 in the hopes that it will not only be a race-winning car but a championship contender in 2025. In addition to the technical developments, Ferrari will have a new driver lineup that brings a mix of talent and experience. Charles Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, is expected to remain a key player in their championship efforts, but the team will also welcome a new superstar—seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari has been one of the biggest stories in the sport, and his arrival brings with it high expectations. Frederic Vasseur recently spoke about Hamilton’s move to Ferrari at the Trento Sports Festival in Italy, explaining that the British driver prioritizes “performance guarantees.” Hamilton’s choice to leave Mercedes for Ferrari is a strong vote of confidence in the team’s ability to deliver a winning car, and Vasseur is keen to meet those expectations.

With Hamilton on board, Ferrari will be under immense pressure to give him the car he needs to chase his elusive eighth world championship. The combination of Hamilton’s extraordinary experience and talent, alongside Leclerc’s speed and determination, could finally give Ferrari the edge it needs to return to the top of the sport.

Looking Ahead: 2025 or 2026?

While Ferrari has its eyes on 2025 as a potential championship year, the team is also preparing for the longer-term challenge posed by the 2026 regulation changes. However, waiting until 2026 is not the ideal scenario. As Vasseur emphasized, Ferrari is focused on delivering a winning car for 2025, with the technical team working hard to ensure that Project 677 can challenge for titles immediately.

Regulatory stability in 2025 will give Ferrari the chance to exploit the full potential of Project 677, while also benefiting from the enthusiasm and experience that Hamilton brings to the team. The Maranello-based squad knows it cannot afford to wait any longer to end its championship drought, and it is doing everything possible to seize the opportunity.

Ferrari’s leadership, including Loic Serra and Frederic Vasseur, is determined to make 2025 a breakout year. The technical innovations, personnel changes, and the addition of a championship-caliber driver like Lewis Hamilton have positioned Ferrari to take on the competition and potentially break its long-standing drought.

As Ferrari heads into 2025, the goal is clear: to reclaim its place as Formula 1’s dominant force, without having to wait for the rule changes in 2026. While challenges remain, the determination at Maranello is stronger than ever, and fans around the world are eager to see if Ferrari can finally end its title wait and return to the top of Formula 1.