Ferrari targets improved car balance in next SF-25 upgrade package following promising Austrian Grand Prix performance
Scuderia Ferrari is placing renewed emphasis on improving the overall balance of its 2025 Formula 1 challenger, the SF-25, as the Maranello-based team prepares its next round of technical updates. Following a notably improved performance at the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, Ferrari engineers have identified car balance as a critical area for development in order to maintain momentum and close the performance gap to front-running teams like McLaren and Red Bull Racing.
During the race weekend at the Red Bull Ring, Ferrari introduced a set of aerodynamic upgrades, most notably to the floor and diffuser of the SF-25. These new components contributed to what was arguably the Scuderia’s most successful outing of the current season, as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton delivered a strong double-points finish with third and fourth places respectively. Despite the improved result, Charles Leclerc still crossed the finish line approximately 20 seconds behind the dominant McLaren duo, led by Lando Norris, who secured victory ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri.
While Ferrari’s latest upgrades delivered a clear step forward, Lewis Hamilton has continued to call for improvements in the car’s balance. The seven-time world champion, who is still seeking his first Grand Prix podium as a Scuderia Ferrari driver, believes that a more stable and consistent handling platform will be essential for extracting full performance from the SF-25 in both qualifying and race conditions.
Ferrari deputy team principal Jérôme D’Ambrosio provided further insight into the team’s current development priorities, confirming that car balance remains a key focus area for upcoming updates. D’Ambrosio explained that a successful Formula 1 development program involves multiple stages of correlation, beginning with CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations and continuing through wind tunnel testing before final validation on the racetrack. He noted that each stage must align in order for the upgrades to deliver the expected performance improvements once fitted to the car.
Reflecting on the recent progress made in Austria, D’Ambrosio stated that Ferrari had experienced a positive correlation between their wind tunnel data and real-world track performance, which he described as an encouraging sign. He emphasized that such alignment between simulation and reality is not always guaranteed in Formula 1 development cycles, making the successful outcome in Spielberg particularly valuable for the team’s technical direction.
Jérôme D’Ambrosio also stressed that while improving car balance is critical to overall performance, it involves a complex interplay between technical objectives and driver-specific preferences. He acknowledged that factors such as driving style, comfort behind the wheel, and individual feedback from both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are considered in the refinement of car behavior, though the updates are never developed exclusively for one driver.
The deputy team boss was clear that Ferrari’s ultimate aim is to move the SF-25 toward an optimal performance window based on objective metrics—rather than tailoring the car to suit a particular driver’s style. He noted that while driver input is important, the technical department relies on data-driven targets to define how balance improvements will contribute to lap time gains and race performance.
As the Formula 1 calendar enters its second half, Ferrari’s ability to consistently extract more potential from the SF-25 will play a decisive role in their battle against rivals McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. With both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton pushing for stronger results, the pressure is mounting on the Scuderia’s engineering team to deliver updates that not only enhance performance but also provide the stability and predictability both drivers need to fight at the front of the grid.
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