By Carlo Platella
The projects for what will be the last single-seaters of the current regulations are now well underway. The most realistic scenario is that we are moving towards a further convergence of forms and architecture, continuing the trend of recent years. The curiosity to see grows who and how much will revolutionize their single-seater or whether rather we will move towards a general evolution of cars. It’s difficult to expect upheavals, but the 2025 cars could still bring some important changes.
On the wave of continuity
2025 will be the last year of the ground effect regulations, as well as the eve of the important regulatory change expected in 2026. History teaches how in these cases the teams aim for an evolution of the cars from the previous year, even more so when the Federation refrains from making changes to the technical regulations, which will in fact remain unchanged next year. This was not the case in 2021, when the FIA imposed a narrowing of the bottom at the rear, rewarding low rake angle concepts. However, the obligation to maintain the same chassis as the previous season kept teams from making revolutions.
Ground-effect regulations have now reached a certain maturity, with the margins for growth becoming increasingly smaller. This, combined with the desire to divert resources to the 2026 project early, encourages teams to evolve current concepts. The very fact that none of the top teams have yet stopped development of the 2024 car to dedicate himself to next year he suggests that the new single-seaters will descend directly from the current ones. On the other hand, there is no shortage of reasons to expect significant changes.
Why change
The teams priority will be invest in 2026 as soon as possibleaiming to develop a competitive project with which to start the next cycle in the best possible way. The new regulations, however, are constantly evolving, with CFD and wind tunnel aerodynamic analyzes remaining prohibited until January. This is a rule agreed upon by the teams and the Federation specifically so as not to discourage people from investing resources in the 2025 cars.
Furthermore, observing the current starting grid sI still notice some conceptual differences between the various cars, despite a general convergence regarding the shapes of the bellies and bonnets. For example, the contrast between pull rod and push rod suspensions continues, both at the front and rear. The dualism, in addition to being an indication of a different aerodynamic philosophy of flow distribution, is also the result of the differences in terms of sections and heights of the chassis, in some cases attributable to the more or less advanced position of the cockpit. Three years after the debut of the ground effect regulations, different concepts therefore continue to coexist, offering ideas for important changes, if they are deemed effective.
Finally, we must consider how as early as 2024 several teams have begun to revolutionize their project. Ferrari is a great example of thishaving developed a single-seater designed to work differently, with a completely new rear end, less aggressive use of the tyres, a surface optimized at higher ground clearances and in general with an eye on the race. The revolutions, however, cannot be completed all at once, with the need to maintain reference points when remaking the machine, so as not to get lost in a thousand variables. So those who, like Ferrari and Mercedes, have embarked on the path of change could complete it next year.
What to expect
In conclusion, for 2025 the general trend is that of evolution, without however excluding more radical changes. For some reusing the 2024 chassis is definitely a possibilitybut a less obvious option for others. In the case of McLaren, which currently boasts the most complete car on the grid, it is reasonable to expect that the 2025 single-seater will be a direct descendant of the current one. The same goes for those who do not have particular ambitions for next season, therefore lacking the incentive to aim for an upheaval. Ferrari and Mercedes on the other hand, already close to constantly fighting for victory but not yet a title, are the main suspects to implement the most important changes. The choices for 2025 have been made some time ago, but only in February will we find out who dared the most.
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