The 2025 Belgian Grand Prix is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Scuderia Ferrari as the team prepares to enter the second half of the Formula 1 season. The race at Spa-Francorchamps could determine the direction of Ferrari’s campaign, as they continue to search for their first Grand Prix win of the year with drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
So far, Ferrari’s only taste of victory in 2025 has come during the Sprint Race in China. However, that success was short-lived, as both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were disqualified from the main Grand Prix just 24 hours later due to separate rule infringements. Since that controversial weekend in Shanghai, Ferrari have found themselves on the back foot, struggling to recover the momentum they briefly captured.
The disqualification, which stemmed from excessive plank wear, forced the Maranello-based team to make changes to the ride height of both SF-25 cars. This adjustment disrupted the team’s ideal setup window and has had a lasting effect on performance. However, this issue may soon be resolved, with Ferrari expected to introduce a new rear suspension update at Spa designed to enhance the car’s handling and operating range.
Ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, Ferrari carried out a private filming day at the Mugello circuit. While initially designed for promotional footage, the session also offered a valuable opportunity to gather technical data. According to a report from the Italian edition of Motorsport.com, new insights from Mugello have bolstered optimism within the team regarding the upcoming update.
Telemetry data collected during the filming session reportedly confirmed tangible improvements in one of the most problematic areas for the SF-25: the rear of the car under heavy braking. In particular, Ferrari observed gains during the phase of a lap where the rear end typically destabilises due to vertical lift under deceleration. This instability has negatively affected the car’s aerodynamic balance and has contributed to compromised corner entry performance and increased tyre degradation.
Optimising tyre usage—especially over a single flying lap—has been a consistent weakness for Ferrari throughout the season. Addressing this issue could significantly strengthen Hamilton’s position during qualifying sessions. Given how critical grid position remains in modern Formula 1, especially in turbulent air, any improvement in tyre preparation and rear-end stability could prove decisive.
Ferrari’s 2025 car, the SF-25, has been notably vulnerable in dirty air, limiting Hamilton’s ability to mount consistent podium challenges. With both drivers struggling to maximise the car’s potential in traffic, this rear suspension development may help unlock crucial performance gains. Encouragingly, early impressions from Mugello suggest that Ferrari may have finally accessed the untapped performance of the SF-25’s floor—a critical aerodynamic component in the era of ground-effect regulations.
The timing of this upgrade coincides with a Sprint weekend format at Spa, which offers both challenges and opportunities. On one hand, Ferrari would likely prefer three full practice sessions to fully analyse the rear suspension’s effects. On the other, the competitive format provides a live test environment, allowing the team to observe how the car behaves in both qualifying and race conditions under pressure.
While Ferrari engineers are not expecting the upgrade to deliver an immediate and dramatic performance leap, the margins separating the top teams are razor-thin in the 2025 championship. Even a minor gain in mechanical grip or aerodynamic consistency could lead to substantial improvements in results, particularly during tight qualifying sessions and critical tyre phases.
On the driver front, Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to life at Ferrari continues to show promising signs. Although Charles Leclerc came into the season with a strong reputation for his one-lap speed—an ability that former driver and pundit Martin Brundle once suggested could rival that of reigning world champion Max Verstappen—recent form suggests Hamilton is closing the gap.
In fact, in three of the last four race weekends, the seven-time world champion has outqualified the Monegasque, indicating that he is steadily learning the nuances of Ferrari’s 2025 challenger. As his comfort with the SF-25 increases, Hamilton’s qualifying performances have improved, bolstered by a growing ability to bring the tyres into their optimal operating window.
Charles Leclerc reportedly acknowledged after the British Grand Prix that Hamilton’s performance had been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise disappointing weekend for the team. With Spa approaching and Ferrari’s internal mood improving thanks to encouraging technical feedback, both drivers will be hoping the rear suspension upgrade can serve as the turning point in what has so far been a frustrating season.
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