Ferrari set to pose major McLaren threat as intense Monza pressure looms

Ferrari are set to pose a major threat to McLaren at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, where it will face the ultimate pressure of the Tifosi at its home race. The result of the Dutch GP for Ferrari certainly went beyond the worst-case scenario, on a track that is notoriously unfavourable to the dynamic characteristics of the SF-25. Zandvoort, in fact—as Leclerc also reiterated after the race—is characterised by elevation changes, steeply banked corners, and a twisty layout, effectively combining all the elements that challenge the Scuderia's car. This weekend, by contrast, the very fast Monza circuit—with a layout dominated by long straights connected by chicanes and two high-speed corners at Lesmo—could be seen as a chance for the SF-25 to redeem itself in terms of performance. Ferrari's engineers, based on extensive simulations using a setup baseline that prioritises maximum efficiency and reduced ride heights (thanks to the lack of major surface undulations at Monza), are confident they can extract the SF-25’s full potential. It is important to clarify that the setup to be used this weekend is not a compromise between slow and fast sections, as was the case at previous tracks. As seen in Hungary, for instance, the SF-25's pronounced bottoming issues became evident with softer suspension setups, which are typically suited for tracks with long, twisty sections like the Hungaroring or Zandvoort.  On those circuits, the wing configuration required high downforce, which created a peak of aerodynamic load on the straights, causing the car to lower significantly at high speeds—thus increasing plank scraping. At Monza, however, the chosen aerodynamic configuration is of very low downforce, resulting in a much lower load at high speeds. Additionally, the front and rear suspension setup features stiffer solutions, aimed specifically at ensuring a stable aerodynamic platform. In short, simulator data collected at Maranello highlighted how the SF-25’s weaknesses are almost entirely negated by Monza’s characteristics and the chosen setup. It’s worth repeating that, despite not having won a race this season, the SF-25 is a car designed to maximise peak performance rather than average performance—meaning it excels when not forced into compromise setups. Monza allows Ferrari to stay true to this specific DNA, making it a serious opportunity for the team to fight on nearly equal footing with the dominant McLarens.