Ferrari is facing the dilemma ahead of this weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix over whether it is worth introducing an upgraded floor earlier than planned.
The new version is part of a wider update scheduled for the Miami Grand Prix, but RacingNews365 sources close to the team believe the modified floor has already been produced and is ready to be used at the Sakhir International Circuit.
However, it appears there is some resistance within the team. On the one hand, while the aerodynamics department, directed by Diego Tondi, feel the introduction of the upgraded floor could help with extracting higher performance from the car, there is another way of considering how to best combat the current lack of performance from the SF-25.
Technical director Loic Serra and team principal Fred Vasseur are thought to support the theory that the dynamic, changing balance of the car needs to be addressed before any upgrade is ported to the car.
A revised floor would offer a new variant to the current aerodynamics of the Ferrari, and the more cautious camp are wary that it could compromise the wider development of the car.
Ultimately, Ferrari's engineers have not yet decided whether to use the upgraded floor in Bahrain, even though they have produced it.
It appears that a decision will be taken by Thursday. This will be based on analysis of the data obtained by the team at Suzuka, in an attempt to understand whether its performance at the Japanese Grand Prix was capped at its current aerodynamic level, but with good balance, as Charles Leclerc claimed, or conversely, if it was capped by a changeable balance that is not yet optimal.
It is worth highlighting that there is no doubt within the team that the SF-25 is still a good project, but the extent of the work required to elevate it to the level of McLaren remains unclear.
The team must evaluate what the timescales might be for an adequate recovery to be truly achievable and not mere theoretical possibility.
What is certain, is that time is ticking. If a decision of this nature can be made without pondering all the pros and cons, that could be enough to prevent delaying the introduction of a crucial fix to SF-25's current problems.
That in itself is something that could stop the points deficit to rival F1 teams increasing to past the point of no return.
Also interesting:
Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they reflect on the Japanese Grand Prix and look ahead to Bahrain. Max Verstappen's victory is a major talking point, as is McLaren's serious strategical weakness. Jack Doohan's struggles is also discussed.
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