Ferrari place their hopes on rear suspension upgrade ahead of Belgian Grand Prix
Ferrari head into the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix carrying renewed expectations as the team prepares to introduce a crucial technical update. The Italian outfit is set to debut a redesigned rear suspension system at Spa-Francorchamps, a development that could prove decisive in salvaging their 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
Although the Scuderia has officially halted further development of their SF-25 challenger for the remainder of the season in order to shift focus to 2026, there remains optimism within the team that the new rear suspension could enable them to compete for race victories in the second half of the year. Despite being out of realistic contention for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships, Ferrari still sees value in making strong progress through technical improvements.
Highlighting the significance of this upgrade, Ferrari utilized one of their limited filming days last week at Mugello to test the new suspension. Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton participated in the session, a clear indication of how vital this component is to the team’s plans moving forward.
A successful result from this upgrade could also have a broader impact on the team’s future leadership. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur, whose contract expires at the end of 2025, could strengthen his position within the Scuderia if the team begins to show competitive promise in the coming races.
Rain threatens to complicate Charles Leclerc’s Belgian GP weekend
Charles Leclerc, who has historically performed well at Spa, faces another challenging weekend due to uncertain weather conditions. The Monegasque driver claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Belgian Grand Prix in 2019 and has started from pole position at the venue during his last two appearances—albeit those poles were inherited due to penalties for Max Verstappen.
While Friday and Saturday are expected to remain dry, forecasts suggest a high chance of rain on Sunday. This presents a potential setback for Leclerc, who struggled significantly during mixed conditions at the British Grand Prix earlier this month, finishing a disappointing 14th—his lowest result of the season.
Charles Leclerc has acknowledged internally that Ferrari have yet to resolve the issues related to the SF-25’s unpredictable behavior in wet conditions. The car has proven extremely difficult to handle when grip levels fluctuate, a problem that continues to undermine their race-day potential. Despite the challenges, Leclerc has maintained a hopeful attitude and has continued to express a strong personal connection to the iconic Belgian track, where he has achieved a degree of success in the past.
Hamilton continues to influence Ferrari’s development direction
On the other side of the Ferrari garage, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton remains committed to helping the team progress. In his debut season with the Scuderia, Hamilton has taken an active role in shaping the car’s development, regularly providing the factory with detailed feedback and data aimed at improving performance. He has made it clear behind the scenes that he is determined to leave his own mark on Ferrari and raise the overall standard of the operation.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was motivated by the long-term challenge of ending the team’s extended championship drought, which now stretches to 18 years in the Drivers’ standings. While Charles Leclerc has generally shown stronger race pace this season, Hamilton believes that the current technical and organizational limitations at Ferrari are the main reasons behind their underachievement.
He has reportedly told team members that Ferrari has not been functioning as a fully cohesive unit, and that consistency across all departments remains lacking. However, team principal Frédéric Vasseur was fully aware of what Hamilton could bring to the team in terms of professionalism, work ethic, and high standards when he secured his signature.
Lewis Hamilton’s most recent Grand Prix victory came at Spa-Francorchamps last season, where he was awarded the win following the disqualification of former Mercedes teammate George Russell for a technical infringement. While a repeat result in 2025 may be a stretch, Hamilton’s knowledge of the circuit and his leadership within Ferrari could play a vital role in helping the team turn a corner.
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