Ferrari are aiming to use their most recent series of technical upgrades as a springboard to close the performance gap to McLaren during the second half of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign.
Among the current top four teams in the constructors’ standings, the Maranello-based squad remains the only one yet to claim a victory in the ongoing campaign. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has not only failed to win but has also yet to secure a single podium finish in 2025. This marks the longest period in his illustrious career without stepping onto the rostrum.
However, there have been signs of progress. The introduction of a revised rear suspension setup at the Belgian Grand Prix helped Charles Leclerc return to competitive form. The Monegasque driver recorded his fourth podium in six races at Spa-Francorchamps, a clear indication that the development path might be moving in the right direction. Ferrari now face the critical task of extracting consistent performance from this update.
This latest evolution of the SF-25 has reportedly unlocked a specific strength in Leclerc’s driving—one that could prove decisive in the final stretch of the season. Ferrari insiders believe that the dynamic driving style of Leclerc is beginning to align with the updated characteristics of the car, offering a promising sign for upcoming races.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has faced a steeper learning curve with the new setup. It reportedly took the British driver two full days to grasp certain nuances that his teammate understood almost instantly. This contrast in adaptation reflects a wider difference in confidence levels between the two drivers when handling the current version of the SF-25.
To address the car’s remaining limitations, Ferrari are planning further technical changes for the Hungarian Grand Prix. The Italian media has reported that the team will implement modified front and rear wing elements similar to those used at the Monaco Grand Prix. These adjustments are specifically designed to reduce the car’s persistent understeer—described internally as an ‘endemic’ issue—that has been hampering overall cornering performance, particularly on tight and twisty circuits like the Hungaroring.
While discussing recent internal exchanges with Ferrari engineers, Charles Leclerc reportedly responded with mild amusement when asked about technical documents he had contributed. He downplayed the matter, suggesting that sharing such material is a standard practice among all Formula 1 drivers striving to improve their machinery.
With the sweeping regulation changes set for 2026, Ferrari are aware that the path back to championship contention will require a unified push from every department within the Maranello facility. Both the engineering team and the drivers must work in lockstep to regain the competitive edge that has eluded them for several seasons.
For Lewis Hamilton, the pressure is mounting. The 2025 campaign may represent one of his final realistic opportunities to secure a historic eighth world championship—a goal he has pursued relentlessly since narrowly missing out in 2021. The recent improvements to the SF-25 offer renewed optimism that such a feat might still be within reach.
The upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix presents a particularly strategic opportunity for Ferrari. The tight and technical nature of the Hungaroring circuit plays to the strengths of cars with high downforce setups and balanced chassis behavior. On shorter tracks like this, there is less room for error, and even small misjudgments can have severe consequences in terms of grid position and race results. The narrow setup window and punishing layout mirror challenges seen at the Austrian Grand Prix, where small deficits often result in big losses.
The Italian side had trailed McLaren by three-tenths of a second in qualifying at the previous round on the calendar’s longest track. On the more compact and twisty Hungaroring layout, the team is hoping that the combination of their revised aero package and suspension upgrades will allow them to close that gap—potentially putting them in contention for a return to the podium.
In the lead-up to the Budapest race weekend, Ferrari also made a key strategic move off the track. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who had previously faced internal doubts—described by sources as a “single question mark”—has now had his contract officially extended. The decision signals Ferrari’s intent to maintain a sense of continuity and build upon their current technical and management foundations as they prepare for the long-term future.
As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches its critical phase, the Maranello team is striving to regain momentum, address persistent weaknesses, and lay the groundwork for a more competitive campaign under the new 2026 regulations. The Hungarian Grand Prix may prove to be a pivotal chapter in that journey.
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