Matteo Togninalli, Ferrari’s present observe engineering director, revealed the explanations behind halting growth on the SF-25, highlighting a number of efficiency points and evaluating the Italian staff to McLaren.
In current weeks, rumors surfaced a couple of potential disagreement between Crew Principal Frédéric Vasseur and Matteo Togninalli following the Singapore Grand Prix. Hamilton skilled a brake failure as a consequence of excessive temperatures, attributable to technical selections made in the course of the weekend. Because the engineer liable for figuring out setup instructions, Matteo Togninalli was reportedly blamed, triggering Vasseur’s anger. Ferrari later denied that any dispute occurred. The technical image of the SF-25 stays regarding, notably because of the determination to halt growth earlier than rivals. Does the Austin weekend revival point out hope for the remaining 2025 races?
Togninalli: stopping growth early could make the distinction
“As Fred usually says, we battle to place every thing collectively. The whole lot means every thing—not only one side or one particular person. The staff is an entire package deal, like an orchestra. We selected to halt growth maybe sooner than some rivals, and at present there’s a 1–2 tenth distinction between P2 and P7. We’re all very tight. Stopping the event of 1 package deal early could make the distinction and complicate issues. So in the event you mix the 2, you miss some efficiency and attempt to recuperate it on observe, however then danger underperforming and failing to place every thing collectively,” Matteo Togninalli defined to AutoRacer.it.
At Maranello, beneath Loic Serra, Ferrari prioritized the advanced rear suspension and blocked all aerodynamic upgrades. A flooring deliberate for Baku was rejected. With restricted mechanical enhancements out there in trendy F1, efficiency good points primarily come from aero updates. This alternative has weighed closely on Ferrari, because the SF-25 usually fell behind Sauber, Williams, and Racing Bulls.
“We may have finished higher in Baku, and in Singapore we additionally had extra potential. Charles’ last lap may have positioned him P2/P3, for instance, and in the event you begin on the entrance in Singapore, you end on the entrance. We should keep calm, do our greatest, and seize alternatives,” Matteo Togninalli added. Whereas listening to views past Fred Vasseur is optimistic, Matteo Togninalli nonetheless referred to the automobile’s ‘potential.’ The SF-25 had some margin in Baku, however even minor temperature drops making it troublesome to drive indicators deeper issues.
Togninalli’s ‘mindless’ Ferrari-McLaren comparability
“The stability isn’t straightforward. Take a look at the McLaren MCL39—it’s unimaginable. They aren’t robust due to extra downforce, however as a result of it’s extra drivable. You may enhance it with setup and minor tweaks, however that’s a part of the automobile’s inherent habits. Ours is sort of difficult, so we’re extra uncovered to errors. Drivers should work tougher to attain outcomes. Tires are very delicate, so each small mistake—lock-up or oversteer—prices efficiency. When the automobile is at its restrict, you utilize the tires extra and degrade them. This is applicable to everybody, however a extra drivable automobile is gentler on tires,” Matteo Togninalli defined.
He in contrast Ferrari’s stability to McLaren’s, emphasizing that describing the MCL39 as merely extra drivable is oversimplified. McLaren’s consistency throughout situations and tracks is the results of meticulous engineering. The SF-25 solely matched MCL39 within the simulator. Austin gave the impression to be a optimistic weekend, however poor performances all through the season stay. A flawed challenge will proceed to be so, and the hope is that 2026 avoids repeating the identical errors. Fred Vasseur is the primary to hope for this, or his management will once more be questioned.
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