Red Bull boss Christian Horner has highlighted Ferrari as the “standout” team on the grid when it comes to the design direction it has taken with its 2025 Formula 1 car.
The upcoming campaign marking the final one with the current rules has seen teams continue to converge on similar concepts to result in numerous identical-looking cars.
But as those at the sharp end pursue the marginal gains that could decide the title, Ferrari has opted to commit to a “complete new car” with its 2025 creation, the SF-25.
The Italian marque’s tweaks – which include the anticipated switch to a pull-rod front suspension – have come despite the team placing second in the standings last season.
Ferrari Technical Director Loic Serra explained how encountering a development ceiling with the SF-24 prompted it to be more ambitious with its successor’s design.
With all 10 cars having now shared the track in pre-season testing, Horner pinpointed the Maranello-based squad as the team that has made the most sweeping changes.
“I think that into this cycle of regulations, it’s clear that the cars have converged and they look very similar,” Horner told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think probably Ferrari is a standout as being the differentiator.”
Horner predicts tight battle in 2025
With less than a second separating the entire field in Q1 at the 2024 season finale, though, the new season appears poised to be among the closest the series has seen.
Horner believes the tight margins expected will ensure that whoever maximises their package at each event will be the team that steals a march over their immediate rivals.
“That’s inevitable that marginal gains are going to be there,” he continued.
“Every surface on our car is different from last year. It just looks similar because it’s a similar philosophy. You can see other cars have converged with that.
“That’s what’s going to make the racing so tight this year.
“Some cars might suit some circuits better than others. It’s all going to be about extracting the maximum out of your platform, your package and getting it right on the day.
“I think the biggest winner out of that would be the fans and followers of the sport.
“As Zak [Brown, McLaren CEO] says, you could quite easily have eight winners this year. There’s some curveballs in that as well. It could really be pretty open.”
“I think that into this cycle of regulations, it’s clear that the cars have converged and they look very similar.
“I think probably Ferrari is a standout as being the differentiator.
“That’s inevitable that marginal gains are going to be there.
“Every surface on our car is different from last year. It just looks similar because it’s a similar philosophy.
“You can see other cars have converged with that. That’s what’s going to make the racing so tight this year.
“Some cars might suit some circuits better than others. It’s all going to be about extracting the maximum out of your platform, your package and getting it right on the day.
“I think the biggest winner out of that would be the fans and followers of the sport.
“As Zak says, you could quite easily have eight winners this year. There’s some curveballs in that as well. It could really be pretty open.”
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