Ferrari admitted it shifted aerodynamic development to its 2026 car in late April after McLaren’s early dominance, meaning fewer aero upgrades for the rest of 2025. Betting implication: punters should be wary of backing Ferrari for remaining race wins — consider McLaren or Red Bull for outright wins and favour Ferrari for occasional podiums or constructors-point bets rather than race victories.
Ferrari confirms early switch to 2026 project after poor start
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur revealed the Scuderia made a strategic call at the end of April to prioritise its 2026 challenger after a difficult start to the 2025 season. The decision followed costly setbacks, including a double disqualification in China that dented the team’s points haul and left Ferrari chasing a significant delta to early-season pacesetters.
Why the shift came so early
Vasseur said the team recognised the aerodynamic deficit compared with rivals in the opening rounds and decided to reallocate wind tunnel time and development resources to next year’s car. With major regulation changes arriving in 2026 — new chassis and power unit rules — Ferrari judged an early focus on the next-generation package offered the best long-term return.
Psychological and operational impact
Switching aero development mid-season proved a tough psychological challenge for personnel and drivers, Vasseur admitted. The team committed to continued mechanical upgrades and operational improvements for the SF-25, but aero development was effectively parked, meaning the remaining 2025 upgrades were largely limited to non-aero areas.
Drivers involved in the decision
Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were engaged in the decision to prioritise 2026 wind tunnel runs, reflecting a collective, team-wide choice rather than a unilateral management call. Vasseur stressed the move was shared across the organisation and framed as a unified approach to a challenging season phase.
How Ferrari plans to salvage the campaign
Despite the switch, Ferrari remains focused on fighting for second in the Constructors’ Championship. The team continues to introduce mechanical improvements and refine race operations to extract maximum performance from the current car while accelerating development work for next year’s regulations.
Context within the paddock
Different teams have taken varied development paths this season: some waited to introduce aero upgrades later in the year, others shifted resources earlier. Ferrari’s choice reflects a calculated gamble to prioritise competitiveness under new 2026 rules rather than chase marginal gains against rivals now clearly ahead.
What this means for the rest of 2025
Expect Ferrari to be less aggressive with aerodynamic updates; any on-track gains will likely stem from mechanical tweaks, strategy and operational polish. The decision should stabilise long-term prospects but may cap Ferrari’s potential to claw back multiple race wins this season.
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Betting implications and outlook
Punters should view Ferrari’s mid-season pivot as a signal that consistent race wins are less likely for the remainder of 2025. Markets for podiums and constructors points could still favour Ferrari in certain races, but outright-win and title markets are now better targeted at teams that retained aero development or have shown stronger early-season pace. The 2026 regulatory reset makes next season a key betting horizon for changes in form.
Fred Vasseur has shed light on just how early Ferrari switched its main focus to next season.
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