[8] As a consequence of the technical regulations being largely unchanged for the 2020 season, the SF1000 was designed as an evolution of its predecessor the SF90, with team principal Mattia Binotto stating: "The starting point for this car was the SF90 but we have been extreme with all the concepts as much as we could".

The initial release of the car showed that it also featured narrower sidepod inlets, tighter rear bodywork and more complex bargeboard components.

[10][9] Following the 2019 season, the FIA launched an investigation into Ferrari's power unit following claims that it had violated the technical regulations' provisions on fuel flow restrictions.

[12] Prior to the start of the delayed 2020 season, Binotto revealed that for the Austrian Grand Prix the team would use the same configuration of the SF1000 that appeared in pre-season testing.

[13] At the first race, the Austrian Grand Prix, Leclerc and Vettel could only qualify seventh and 11th respectively, with Ferrari CEO Louis Camilleri remarking that it was "clear that we have to improve on all fronts."

[19] Vettel noted that racing on the same circuit on consecutive weekends would have provided the team with an opportunity to test and compare the SF1000's new upgrades, but that the collision made this impossible.

Leclerc remarked that the car was "extremely hard to drive" and was confused by the drop in performance after a "better than expected" qualifying session.

Whilst most drivers made two pit stops during the race, Leclerc took advantage of a one-stop strategy to finish fourth, a result he described as "like a victory".

[24] Vettel, meanwhile, spun on the opening lap and remarked that his two-stop tyre strategy "didn't make any sense" after finishing in 12th place.

Leclerc retired from the race with an ECU issue,[26] whereas Vettel took advantage of an "unplanned" one-stop strategy to hold onto seventh place in the closing laps.

Leclerc's SF1000 was 10 km/h (6.2 mph) slower through the circuit's speed trap than his predecessor SF90 was a year prior, and Ferrari were the only team not to improve on their 2019 qualifying time.

Binotto commented that the team was "disappointed and angry" with its poor performance, judged to be due to a lack of aerodynamic efficiency, power and tyre grip.

Leclerc was running in fourth place before suffering a high-speed accident at the final corner, bringing out the red flag and resulting in Ferrari's second double-retirement of the season.

The team again brought upgrades to the diffuser for the Portuguese Grand Prix, stating that their aim was to qualify in the top six at the remaining six races of the season.

Leclerc made a mistake whilst attempting to overtake second-placed Sergio Pérez, allowing Vettel through to claim his first podium finish of the season.

[41] In contrast to the team's best combined result of the year at the Turkish Grand Prix, the SF1000 collected only a single point over the final three races of the season.