The cars for the upcoming Formula One season might be less new than expected. There is growing speculation that some teams, particularly those in the midfield and lower end of the grid, could reuse the old chassis for their 2025 cars. A similar scenario occurred between the 2020 and 2021 seasons, but while that decision was enforced by the FIA in response to the pandemic, the current motivations are economic, technical, and logistical.
High Costs, Narrow Margins
There are two main reasons supporting the potential reuse of 2024 chassis. First, teams have been heavily focused on developing their 2026 cars for months, even though aerodynamic simulations could only begin this January. Avoiding the design and production of a new chassis for 2025 would allow teams to save budget cap resources to reinvest in the development of the new regulations, while also allocating a larger share of personnel to that project.
Additionally, the ground-effect regulations are now in their fourth year, offering diminishing returns from developing the current cars. During an interview with *FormulaPassion*, Haas Technical Director Andrea De Zordo commented on the likelihood of reusing 2024 chassis, calling it highly plausible: “Considering the work for 2026, I imagine some teams will do it. I’d be surprised if no one does. The effort for 2026 is extremely significant, and savings have to be made somewhere—not just financially, but in terms of resources overall.”
Haas’s Approach
Andrea De Zordo revealed that Haas has considered reusing the chassis of the VF-24, though the team has not yet disclosed its final decision: “It’s an option we’ve evaluated. In a few months, you’ll find out what we decided.”
If the American team opts to reuse the old chassis, it would prevent them from incorporating Ferrari’s new front suspension. Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur has stated that their 2025 car will be 99% new, suggesting that Maranello’s car is being developed around a chassis different from last season’s.
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