At the iconic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, there will be only one hour of free practice to fine-tune Ferrari’s updated Formula 1 car, which now features the much-anticipated rear suspension in addition to the new floor. Scuderia Ferrari has given the green light to the updated solution, even if Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton did not feel major differences during the Filming Day. However, both drivers will need to work on the setup in order to extract the true potential of the SF-25 single-seater.
Ferrari is taking both of its updated SF-25 cars, now equipped with the newly developed rear suspension system, to the Belgian Grand Prix. The Maranello-based team has put significant effort into preparing for the challenging weekend at Spa, where—for the first time—the full technical upgrade package will be deployed together.
The floor, which previously made its competitive debut during the Austrian Grand Prix, will now be complemented by the long-awaited new rear suspension system that has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks. On the demanding, high-speed and elevation-changing layout nestled in the forests of the Ardennes, the true performance potential of the latest version of the SF-25 will finally be evaluated. This comes as the technical department, now under the direction of Loïc Serra, gradually shifts its full focus to the development of the 2026 challenger—known internally as Project 678.
The new rear suspension has undergone extensive testing on Ferrari’s dynamic test benches, delivering an estimated performance gain of approximately one-tenth of a second per lap when paired with the revised floor. However, during the recent Filming Day held at the Mugello Circuit on July 17, neither Charles Leclerc nor Lewis Hamilton reported a dramatic shift in car behavior over the 100 kilometers each driver completed on the undulating track owned by Ferrari.
Some interpreted this as a failed test or even a rejection of the update package, but that assumption is incorrect. The purpose of the Filming Day was not to measure lap times or gather driver impressions, but to collect comparative telemetry data between the updated and standard versions of the SF-25. This was crucial to verify whether the core aerodynamic issues—issues that led Ferrari to develop the new suspension in the first place—had been effectively addressed. Both Leclerc and Hamilton drove with demonstration tires and a locked-in, non-adjustable setup (as mandated by regulations for promotional events), which prevented the car from being optimized to either driver’s preferences.
The technical department at Ferrari was primarily interested in evaluating how the new rear suspension affected the car’s behavior under heavy braking. According to data from the car’s telemetry, the new setup appears to have improved the SF-25’s most vulnerable phase—braking stability. The updated design helps reduce the tendency of the rear end to lift under braking, minimizing sudden aerodynamic stalls and providing more consistent rear-end grip. This is expected to improve turn-in performance and help drivers stay within the optimal operating window of the tires, which has been a persistent challenge for Ferrari this season.
Greater stability was also targeted in fast, high-load corners—such as the two “Arrabbiata” curves at Mugello—where the SF-25’s weaknesses had been particularly evident. Although Leclerc and Hamilton reported little perceptible difference in handling during the test, the collected data pointed to several positive trends. Ferrari’s engineers then used that data to perform further development work in the simulator back at Maranello.
According to internal sources, Ferrari may have unlocked hidden potential in the SF-25—a potential that only surfaced under very specific conditions during previous races. Although the Sprint weekend format at the Belgian Grand Prix complicates the implementation of such major updates—due to limited practice time and a locked parc fermé after qualifying—there is cautious optimism within the team. The reopening of parc fermé after the Sprint race on Saturday could provide a vital opportunity to refine the car’s setup using real-world data gathered during Friday qualifying and the 100-kilometer Sprint event. Both drivers will then be better positioned to fine-tune their settings in a way that allows them to extract any additional lap-time benefits that this technical solution might provide.
The broader expectation is that, with a less extreme baseline configuration, the SF-25 will become a more confidence-inspiring car for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton—especially during single-lap qualifying runs. Until now, both drivers have often had to push beyond the limit with aggressive and uncomfortable setups, particularly the Monegasque driver, who has at times overdriven the car in search of elusive performance, leading to costly mistakes.
The updates are also expected to improve drivability during race conditions, particularly when the car is running with a full fuel load. With reduced load variation and fewer unpredictable handling shifts, both Leclerc and Hamilton should be able to drive more consistently, with smoother lines and fewer corrections at the wheel. While these improvements may not immediately result in dramatic gains on the stopwatch, there is strong belief within the team that the drivers will gain more confidence in the updated SF-25. This could also open up the possibility to run the car closer to the ground, thereby unlocking additional aerodynamic downforce—an area in which Ferrari has frequently lagged behind its main rivals during the 2025 Formula 1 season.
