Scuderia Ferrari is eagerly awaiting the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring to gain further clarity on the effectiveness of its recent updates to the SF-25 Formula 1 car. Following a solid performance at the Belgian Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc returned to the podium, there is a growing sense of optimism within the team’s headquarters in Maranello. Although the performance gap to McLaren remains significant, the team is encouraged by the progress made and is looking forward to a more complete evaluation in Budapest.
The Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps marked a return to form for Ferrari after a more challenging outing at Silverstone. In a race affected by mixed weather conditions, Charles Leclerc delivered a flawless performance in the early stages and maintained strong pace throughout, securing a valuable third-place finish. British driver Lewis Hamilton, who started the race from the pit lane, also managed an impressive recovery drive, crossing the finish line in seventh place.
Overall, the SF-25 is showing clear signs of development and is now seen as increasingly competitive—not only closing in on Red Bull Racing but also having established a consistent edge over Mercedes in recent races.
SF-25 shows promise, but Hungary will offer deeper insight
During the traditional post-race press conference, Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the improvements seen in Belgium, but also cautioned against premature celebration. He noted that the real test would come during the upcoming weekend at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where a standard race format with three Free Practice sessions will allow for a much more precise assessment of the car’s balance and behavior.
“I’m happy with the progress we’ve made, and I think we should all be proud of what we’ve achieved,” Charles Leclerc commented. “There has been a tremendous amount of work done behind the scenes by everyone back at the factory, which allowed us to bring this update to the car for the Belgian Grand Prix.”
Leclerc also acknowledged that the upgrade had a real impact in terms of performance: “It definitely helped us reach the podium, especially considering how close Max Verstappen was today. However, we are well aware that this is not yet enough. We still have to push hard to close the gap to McLaren. That’s something the whole team understands clearly.”
Despite his measured tone, the driver did not hide his appreciation for the weekend’s results: “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be pleased with what we’ve accomplished here at Spa.”
Hungary to provide a more accurate evaluation of the upgrades
The Formula 1 calendar leaves little time to reflect, as the next round—the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix—is set to take place just one week after Spa. The traditional race weekend format in Budapest, with three full Free Practice sessions, will be crucial for understanding the true impact of the new rear suspension system and finding the ideal setup.
Charles Leclerc remains cautious about making predictions, particularly regarding how well the updated SF-25 will suit the tighter, more technical Hungaroring layout. “I’m not sure yet if the car will adapt better to the circuit in Hungary,” he admitted. “I prefer to wait before making any assumptions.”
The upcoming race will be another vital step in Ferrari’s efforts to consolidate its position in the Constructors’ Championship and continue its upward performance trajectory. The team hopes that the combination of recent upgrades and more extensive setup time in Hungary will unlock further potential from the SF-25, bringing it even closer to challenging McLaren and Red Bull on a consistent basis.
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