Frederic Vasseur has revealed that Ferrari's car for the 2025 Formula 1 season will be "completely new."
The announcement comes as a surprise, given Ferrari's strong end-of-season performance and the fact that 2025 marks the final year of the current regulations before major changes in 2026.
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull, provided a contrasting perspective when asked if the 2025 Red Bull Racing car would be evolutionary or revolutionary.
"It will be a bit of both," Horner said. "There will be developments in different areas of the car and major changes in others," he added, acknowledging that the 2025 Red Bull will be the first not designed by Adrian Newey.
"The team has to rise to the challenge and I'm confident they will. We'll see what the RB21 looks like when it's unveiled at the end of January," Horner noted.
However, Vasseur has stated that Ferrari's philosophy for the upcoming season takes a drastically different approach.
"We are in the fourth year of applying these regulations, and we know our previous project very well," said Vasseur. "That is why the 2025 car will be completely new."
Vasseur further elaborated, saying, "The 2025 car will share less than 1 percent" with the car raced by Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc this season.
According to Spanish broadcaster DAZN, the significant changes to the 2025 Ferrari include a cockpit position adjustment, reportedly requested by new recruit Lewis Hamilton. These changes will also necessitate modifications to the engine mounting and a shorter gearbox. Additionally, Ferrari is expected to adopt McLaren-style pull-rod front suspension and Mercedes-inspired brake cooling solutions.
While Ferrari appears receptive to Hamilton's input regarding cockpit positioning, Vasseur clarified that the seven-time world champion will not be bringing any personnel with him from Mercedes.
"No," Vasseur said firmly. "Because we have no intention of replicating Mercedes here at Ferrari. We have our guys and the right resources to win, so let's work to create an original. I don't want a copy."
"He will bring his own experiences and background, but that doesn't mean we have to change our approach. I think Lewis will understand that perfectly," Vasseur added.
"I know Lewis very well, but we must not copy and paste from Mercedes. The working environment there was very good at the beginning and less good at the end. They are not the champions. We must do something different."
