Ferrari are set to continue their efforts to extract the maximum potential out of their 2025 Formula 1 car, starting at the Austrian Grand Prix.

After the first 10 race weekends of the season, it’s clear that Ferrari aren’t anywhere near as competitive as they were last season.

Charles Leclerc recorded iconic wins at Monaco and Monza last year, but has had to settle for three podium finishes as his best results in 2025.

For Lewis Hamilton, it’s been even more frustrating, as his only successes since his move from Mercedes have been in this year’s two Sprint Races.

The likes of McLaren and Mercedes have taken strides forward over the past six months, but Ferrari haven’t made the same level of progress.

Fred Vasseur and his team believe that the inherent potential of the SF-25 should allow them to regularly fight for race victories.

Unfortunately, fundamental limitations with the car’s design mean that they can’t exploit that potential, something Hamilton’s disqualification in China perfectly demonstrated.

The Austrian Grand Prix sees the F1 calendar return to Europe and with that, the possibility of update packages being easily brought to races.

Many teams have targeted Silverstone for their major upgrades, but Ferrari have rushed to install one critical part in time for the race in the Styrian hills.

Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Ferrari debuting new floor on Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s cars at the Austrian Grand Prix

A report from the Italian outlet AutoRacer has provided more details on Ferrari’s latest innovation.

Ferrari are installing a new floor on both of their cars in Austria, hopeful that it will remove some of the mechanical limitations that are currently slowing them down.

Although Ferrari want to install a new rear suspension, it’s hoped that a new floor will help increase the operational window of their cars.

The issue has been described as a ‘serious handicap’ to their performances thus far, and aerodynamic chief Diego Tondi and technical director Loic Serra have started ‘from scratch’ to make sure the new floor works.

It’s not expected to produce any ‘sudden miracles’ in Austria, where the gaps between teams are expected to be minuscule due to the short nature of the track.

Ferrari have known that a new floor would offer a potential solution for some time, but didn’t want to rush an upgrade until they were certain of its effectiveness.

The floor was ‘initially designed for Silverstone’, but Ferrari have rushed its introduction a week early to maximise its impact.

How have Ferrari previously performed at the Austrian Grand Prix?

The Austrian Grand Prix made its Formula 1 debut in 1964 when Italian driver Lorenzo Bandini was the victor after the legendary Graham Hill took pole position for BRM.

Since then, the race has been a staple of the F1 calendar since 1970, aside from a hiatus between 1988 and 1996 due to safety concerns, and a 10-season gap between 2004 and 2013.

Ferrari have recorded more wins at the Austrian Grand Prix than any other team in Formula 1 history, with seven.

Leclerc was their most recent winner in 2022 when he was joined by Hamilton on the podium, and what he and Vasseur would do for him to repeat that feat on Sunday.

Alongside Bandini and Leclerc, Jacky Ickx, Eddie Irvine and Michael Schumacher were the Scuderia’s other successful drivers in Austria.

Hamilton would love Ferrari’s newest update package to allow him to add his name to that list.