FIA Launches Explosive Investigation into Ferrari’s SF-25 After Red Bull’s Bombshell Complaint
Formula 1 is no stranger to controversy, but the latest drama unfolding ahead of the 2025 Australian Grand Prix has set the paddock ablaze. Red Bull’s jaw-dropping accusations against Ferrari and McLaren over their rear wing designs have triggered a major investigation by the FIA, threatening to upend the pecking order before the season even begins. With technical director Pierre Wache leading the charge, Red Bull claims the SF-25 and MCL39 are exploiting a loophole reminiscent of last year’s “mini-DRS” saga, prompting the governing body to dispatch officials to Maranello and Woking for urgent inspections. As the clock ticks down to Melbourne, could this be a desperate move by a faltering Red Bull—or a legitimate crackdown that reshapes the championship fight?
The saga kicked off during pre-season testing in Bahrain, where Red Bull’s eagle-eyed engineers spotted what they believe is excessive flexibility in Ferrari and McLaren’s rear wings. Wache didn’t mince words, declaring, “It is still going on. Ferrari and McLaren are doing the mini-DRS stuff still. It will be a big talking point throughout the season—it is quite visible.” This isn’t a new battleground; last year, McLaren’s MCL38 came under fire when onboard footage from Baku revealed its DRS flap opening under aerodynamic load, dubbed “mini-DRS.” The FIA responded by tightening regulations, shrinking the slot gap width from 10-15 mm to 9.4-13 mm and capping the DRS opening at 85 mm. Yet, Red Bull insists both teams are still bending the rules, flexing their wings to gain an aerodynamic edge.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Italian outlet *FUnoAnalisiTecnica* reports that Red Bull has compiled an “official and accusatory file” packed with evidence from Bahrain, targeting the SF-25 and MCL39. The FIA, already on high alert after revamping the 2025 technical directives, isn’t taking this lightly. Delegates are set to storm Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters and McLaren’s Woking base before the Melbourne opener, armed with high-definition cameras and reference stickers to monitor rear wing behavior at speed. This echoes their 2024 front wing crackdown, where stricter tests were rolled out from the Belgian GP. For 2025, the FIA is doubling down, with rear wing scrutiny starting in Australia and even tougher front wing checks slated for the Spanish GP. No penalties can be issued yet—testing rules allow experimentation—but any illegal designs will face the axe once the season starts.
Ferrari, however, isn’t sweating it—at least not publicly. Team principal Fred Vasseur brushed off the allegations, insisting the SF-25 left Bahrain with “positive impressions.” The car, a radical evolution with a pull-rod front suspension and a lighter medium-downforce rear wing, reportedly gained half a second over its predecessor. Yet, Charles Leclerc’s feedback paints a murkier picture. “We struggled a bit in the last two days with the balance,” he admitted, citing wind and temperature shifts as culprits. If the FIA forces changes to the rear wing, Ferrari’s aerodynamic mapping could unravel, derailing their bid to end a 17-year title drought—especially with Lewis Hamilton joining the fold.
Red Bull’s motives are under the microscope too. After slipping to third in the 2024 constructors’ standings, their RB21 showed worrying signs in Bahrain, with Max Verstappen and Wache hinting at development woes. Some see this complaint as a smokescreen for their own struggles, a team once dominant now scrambling to regain its edge. Their silence on Mercedes’ W16, which also flexed its DRS plane in testing, only fuels the speculation. Are they targeting Ferrari and McLaren—projected frontrunners—out of fear rather than fairness? McLaren, meanwhile, remains a force to be reckoned with, their MCL39 dominating Bahrain’s cooler conditions. Any FIA ruling could clip their wings just as they aim to defend their constructors’ crown.
The FIA’s response is swift and decisive. An updated Technical Directive 34, sent to single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis, promises rigorous monitoring from Melbourne onward. High-speed footage will expose any flexing beyond the 9.4-13 mm threshold, leaving no room for tricks. This isn’t just about Ferrari or McLaren—it’s a warning shot to the entire grid. Red Bull’s aggression might backfire if their own RB21 falls afoul of the clampdown, while Ferrari faces the tightrope of refining a tricky SF-25 under scrutiny. As the season looms, one thing’s clear: the rear wing war could dictate who rules 2025. Will Ferrari’s gamble pay off, or will Red Bull’s salvo spark chaos? The answers start in Melbourne—buckle up.
