Ferrari Continue SF-25 Evolution with More Upgrades Ahead as Lewis Hamilton Adapts to ‘Difficult’ Changes Favoring Charles Leclerc
Scuderia Ferrari showed promising signs of recovery at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, where the latest aerodynamic upgrade — a revised floor introduced for the SF-25 — contributed to improved tire management and overall consistency. This development enabled both Ferrari drivers, seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc, to finish inside the top four in Sunday’s race at Spielberg despite facing challenging high-temperature conditions.
The result at the Red Bull Ring marked Ferrari’s second-best finish of the current Formula 1 season and served as a clear indication that their performance issues earlier in the year are being addressed. For Lewis Hamilton, the outcome equaled his best race finish since joining the Maranello-based team, as he remained within striking distance of Charles Leclerc throughout most of the race — a notable achievement considering the scorching 50°C track temperatures.
But Ferrari’s development program is far from over. The team, led by principal Frédéric Vasseur and supported by technical director Loic Serra, plans to introduce further performance upgrades in the coming rounds. These updates will build upon the gains achieved through the latest floor specification, which has helped expand the operational window of the SF-25 by making the car more forgiving and responsive across varying conditions.
However, there is still some internal friction. Lewis Hamilton expressed frustration over the team’s strategic decisions in Austria. The British driver had requested a one-stop strategy — a choice that ultimately proved effective for two cars that finished behind him — and was later described as “absolutely right” by some insiders for challenging Ferrari’s call. His radio communications during the race suggested ongoing dissatisfaction, particularly regarding the car’s balance and his continued search for consistent pace.
Despite the tension, Hamilton can take some encouragement from Ferrari’s commitment to addressing his concerns. A senior figure within the Scuderia confirmed that the floor update delivered positive results and has laid the foundation for further aerodynamic and mechanical refinements in upcoming races. These include a significant rear suspension upgrade scheduled for the Hungarian and Belgian Grands Prix — a development intended to stabilize the SF-25 in high-speed corners and under acceleration.
However, this suspension modification could prove to be a double-edged sword. According to reports from Motorsport Italia, while the upgrade aims to improve overall traction, it may also introduce increased instability under braking. This characteristic could pose a challenge for Lewis Hamilton, who traditionally prefers a more stable rear end and predictable weight transfer when entering corners. In contrast, the changes may benefit Charles Leclerc, who favors a sharp front end and a more agile car — traits that align better with the anticipated behavior of the modified suspension system.
This evolving technical direction has sparked concern that Ferrari’s development path may inadvertently suit Charles Leclerc more than his new teammate. The Monegasque driver, who has often extracted more performance from the SF-25 this season, continues to thrive in the car’s current setup, while the Briton has admitted he still has work to do to fully understand his pace deficit and adapt to the car’s traits.
Yet, amid the challenges, mutual respect between rivals remains. Charles Leclerc recently echoed the words of George Russell in calling Lewis Hamilton the “GOAT” — the greatest of all time — acknowledging the British driver’s legacy and continued threat on the grid, even during a transitional year.
Looking ahead, Ferrari also intends to tackle another issue that has been frustrating Lewis Hamilton since his arrival: persistent understeer. Engineers at Maranello are working to recalibrate the SF-25’s front-end response to better align with Hamilton’s preferences, hoping to unlock greater confidence for the seven-time World Champion during turn-in phases and mid-corner handling.
If Ferrari can successfully dial out the understeer and fine-tune the setup around Hamilton’s driving style, there is optimism that the 39-year-old Briton could finally secure his first podium finish in red — a long-awaited milestone since his high-profile move from Mercedes.
While the outlook for the remainder of the 2025 Formula 1 season remains uncertain, especially with Red Bull Racing and McLaren pushing aggressively at the front, whispers in the paddock suggest that Lewis Hamilton may have made a strategic masterstroke for 2026. With all teams preparing for the radical regulation changes set to arrive with the next generation of F1 cars, no one truly knows what the competitive hierarchy will look like by the time the championship kicks off in Australia next year.
Until then, Ferrari holds second place in the Constructors’ Championship, and their ongoing development race — along with the internal dynamics between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc — promises to be one of the defining stories of the season.
