#F1 | I've summarized the strengths and weaknesses of each of the top 4 cars (as I've perceived it) and where I think they need to improve to become serious contenders next season.
I only did the top 4 cars, quite frankly because I did not pay enough attention to the other teams. I couldn't summarize them if I tried to.
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McLaren — Gold Standard
A car that became unimposing once a major tyre issue was resolved in Miami. It can be described as nearly perfect—or as close to perfection as possible within this regulatory cycle.
Strengths⬇️
—Tyre balance between qualifying and race
—Best-in-class | usable downforce
—Outstanding ride quality and drivability
—Best in class | traction performance
—Widest performance window (excelling across a variety of circuit types)
—Highly tunable
—Insensitive to condition changes
—Strongest in low- to medium-speed corners with no significant high-speed deficits
— Best in class | reliability
— No balance limitations
Weaknesses⬇️
— High-speed braking
— Straight-line efficiency in low downforce trim (post mini-DRS)
How to defend the title in 2025⬇️
Despite having minimal room for improvement, addressing the balance at ultra-low downforce circuits (especially post-mini-DRS) could bring this car as close to perfection as any vehicle can achieve under the current regulations.
Ferrari — Brittle Bandit
Hampered by design choices that could not be resolved during the season, this car was solid in several areas but rarely best-in-class. Many of its strengths stemmed from extreme compromises, which also created notable weaknesses. Of its five wins, three came from capitalizing on rival mistakes rather than outright pace.
Strengths⬇️
—Best-in-class | high-speed braking
—Strong ride quality (though a step behind McLaren)
—Excellent kerb compliance
—Impressive low-speed performance (McLaren’s closest rival)
—Straight line efficiency
—Good race pace (through trade-offs)
Weaknesses⬇️
—Insufficient downforce at higher speeds
—Front-end limitations in medium-to-high-speed, long-radius corners
—Poor qualifying pace
—Inconsistent corner-to-corner balance
—Slow tire warm-up, costing 2–3 seconds at the start of stints
How to become a formidable title contender across 24 races⬇️
Two critical issues need to be addressed:
—Tire Heat Generation: The car struggles to generate tire heat quickly, which must be resolved without compromising tire degradation during races. This would also reduce its sensitivity to atmospheric & track conditions.
—Front-End Downforce: The front-end needs significant improvement in medium-to-high-speed corners (170–200 kph), especially in long-radius, off-throttle sections.
Red Bull — Julius Caesar
A car that began the season as virtually untouchable but was quickly exposed as rivals caught up, partly due to ineffective development. The car at the start of the season was fundamentally different from the version described below.
Strengths⬇️
—Exceptional straight-line efficiency
—Best-in-class | high speed cornering
—Remained competitive in qualifying
Weaknesses⬇️
—Innate chassis stiffness
—Poor ride quality
—Poor bump compliance
—Very narrow performance window
—Front-end limitations in low-speed corners
—Sporadic tyre behaviour
—Lack of a low-downforce wing assembly
How to become a formidable title contender⬇️
Ignoring the obvious driver problem, finding a way to run the car with a softer setup could address many of its issues. Improved chassis flexibility would enhance low-speed performance, bump and kerb compliance, and ultimately expand its performance window—particularly at street circuits and in low-speed cornering situations.
Mercedes — The Cryophilic
If all races were held in the UK, this car could have rivalled the legacy of the W11. However, development struggles and shortcomings in key areas ultimately held it back.
Strengths⬇️
—Strong braking performance
—Impressive qualifying pace
—Excels in mixed or wet conditions
—High-speed cornering capability
—Responsive front-end
Weaknesses⬇️
—Severe rear-end limitation
—Highly condition-sensitive
—Inconsistent race pace due to tire degradation
—Tunability
—Performance degradation over the course of a race weekend
How to become a consistent contender⬇️
The top priority, much like Ferrari, is solving tire performance issues—but on the opposite end of the spectrum. Mercedes must address tire overheating, which would reduce condition sensitivity. Additionally, the car's limited tunability is a significant concern; three wing assemblies are insufficient for adapting to the varying demands of different circuits. Much like the Ferrari, it had no notable (or not enough) strengths.
Imposing*
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