The 2019 regulations mandated a simpler front wing and a higher, wider rear wing. Ferrari took a distinctive approach to the front wing, tapering it downwards from the middle towards the endplates — below the maximum permitted height — with the intention of directing airflow around the front tyres. Mercedes and Red Bull Racing adopted more conventional designs that were high from the centre to the endplate. Ferrari's approach produced more predictable downforce levels but lower overall downforce than some rivals, which required additional barge board area to compensate and constrained the rear wing's development.
Other changes included a smaller, triangular engine cover inlet replacing the previous oval shape, larger radiator air inlets, and remodelled rear bodywork. Ferrari adopted a matte livery finish to save weight. During pre-season testing, Ferrari redirected sidepod air out behind the base of the halo to generate additional downforce and improve airflow to the rear wing. The wheel rims were also redesigned with holes to transfer heat away from the tyres.
The SF90 made its competitive debut at the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, where Vettel qualified third and Leclerc fifth; both finished fourth and fifth respectively, lacking pace against the Mercedes cars and Max Verstappen's Red Bull. At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari locked out the front row and Leclerc set a new track record in qualifying, but both drivers encountered difficulties in the race — Vettel with driver errors and Leclerc with an engine problem that cost him a likely victory.
Charles Leclerc won at the Belgian Grand Prix — his maiden Formula One victory — and followed it immediately with a second win at the Italian Grand Prix. Both victories were narrow, with Mercedes cars finishing within a second of Leclerc in second and third. Sebastian Vettel won in Singapore, Ferrari's first 1–2 finish since the 2017 Hungarian Grand Prix, and Vettel's first victory since the 2018 Belgian Grand Prix. The Japanese Grand Prix saw Ferrari lock out the front row, but a collision between Leclerc and Verstappen on the opening lap and a subsequent delay in calling Leclerc in for repairs ended any prospect of a strong result.
Several races were marked by setbacks. At the Canadian Grand Prix, Vettel took pole but received a time penalty for rejoining the track unsafely ahead of Lewis Hamilton; Ferrari appealed but the FIA upheld the decision. At the Brazilian Grand Prix, contact between Leclerc and Vettel as they fought for position caused a retirement for both, the first time Ferrari had scored no points since the 2017 Singapore Grand Prix.
Ferrari's straight-line speed was particularly strong between the Belgian and Mexican Grands Prix, during which the team scored six consecutive pole positions and their only race wins of the season. Red Bull issued a query to the FIA asking whether a system that circumvented the fuel flow sensor would be permitted. The FIA responded with a technical directive ahead of the United States Grand Prix reminding competitors that such systems were not allowed. Ferrari's competitive performance declined thereafter.
After pre-season testing for 2020, the FIA announced it had completed an investigation into the 2019 Ferrari 064 power unit and reached a private settlement. The non-Ferrari teams expressed surprise and pressed for full disclosure, but the FIA stated that while it was not fully satisfied with the unit's legality, the complexity of the matter and the risk of protracted legal proceedings led it to take no further action.
The SF90 carried a satin red finish with black accents, drawing on the livery style used from 1983 to 1996. Ferrari applied 90th anniversary logos for most races and Mission Winnow branding in others, with the application varying according to tobacco advertising restrictions in each host country. At Monaco, the sidepods carried Niki Lauda's name as a tribute; at the Chinese Grand Prix, the 1000th Formula One Grand Prix was acknowledged on the car.
A modified SF90 was used during testing of the 2022 tyre compounds following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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