Following the conclusion of the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Sky Sport F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini shared his reflections on the performances of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, as well as his thoughts on Ferrari’s latest technical upgrades. The race weekend provided the Scuderia with valuable insights, not just in terms of immediate results, but also with a view toward the development of the 2026 Formula 1 car.
Ferrari left Spa with a sense of satisfaction after both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton delivered strong drives. More importantly, the Italian team was finally able to test a highly anticipated upgrade—the new rear suspension system, which has been a hot topic of discussion throughout recent months. This component was designed to improve mechanical grip and aerodynamic consistency, both of which are key areas for development heading into the next generation of Formula 1 regulations.
Despite a challenging weekend due to changeable weather conditions and the constraints of a Sprint format, which significantly reduced the amount of free practice time available to the teams, the initial signs from the rear suspension upgrade were positive. Although the limited track time made it difficult to draw definitive conclusions, the new setup appeared to deliver some measurable benefits. More concrete feedback is expected during the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix, where more stable weather conditions should allow Ferrari’s engineers to gather more complete and reliable data.
Carlo Vanzini’s Verdict on Ferrari’s Performance
In one of his regular post-race YouTube videos, Carlo Vanzini analyzed the broader situation inside the Ferrari team. He addressed strategic choices and individual driver performances, starting with Lewis Hamilton.
“Some drivers, including Hamilton, opted to start from the pit lane with a higher-downforce setup in an attempt to gamble on potential rain,” Carlo Vanzini explained. “That strategy became pointless once the start of the race was delayed, neutralizing any potential weather-related advantage. Still, Hamilton did a solid job—exactly the kind of drive we expect from a seven-time world champion. In my view, however, he made a mistake with his Friday comments. That post-qualifying interview was really the last thing he should have done,” the Italian commentator remarked.
Carlo Vanzini also pointed out a technical detail regarding the braking system on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari SF-25. “At Spa, Hamilton used brake pads that Charles Leclerc has been running since the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona. It’s unclear why Hamilton hadn’t switched to them earlier,” he noted. “Initially, it seemed like Hamilton was trying to shift some of the responsibility away from himself, but later he walked it back and admitted it was an error on his part. Clearly, he’s not going through an easy phase—he hasn’t been on the podium in fifteen consecutive races. Still, I think he delivered the answers he needed to, managing the slick tyres very well and finishing in seventh place.”
Focus on Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s Technical Direction
Carlo Vanzini also gave his assessment of Charles Leclerc’s performance and the broader strategic direction being taken by Ferrari’s technical department.
“With Charles Leclerc, I think the phrase ‘man versus machine’ still applies. From Ferrari’s side, it’s crucial to see that the mistakes made in the original design of the SF-25 are being corrected. The car was originally developed under the technical leadership of Enrico Cardile, but the recent upgrades—including the new suspension—are the result of work led by engineer Diego Tondi Serra,” Vanzini explained.
“This shift is important not only in the short term, but especially with an eye on the 2026 Formula 1 season. It doesn’t provide absolute certainty about what the next car will look like, but the direction taken gives hope that lessons are being learned and progress is being made,” he concluded.
With the 2025 Formula 1 season entering its second half, Ferrari’s encouraging developments—both in terms of on-track performance and technical evolution—offer optimism for the near future. The next few Grands Prix, particularly in more stable weather conditions, will be crucial to validating the success of these upgrades and defining the roadmap toward 2026.
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