Scuderia Ferrari made a bold and strategic decision just moments before the start of the 2025 Formula 1 Belgian Grand Prix by changing the rear wing setup on Lewis Hamilton’s SF-25 single-seater. The modification aimed to optimize performance in wet conditions, but in hindsight, was this gamble truly worth it?
According to reports from journalists at F1inGenerale, the Maranello-based team decided to modify the aerodynamic setup of Lewis Hamilton’s car less than an hour before the start of the race. Since the British driver was already scheduled to begin the race from the pit lane, Ferrari took advantage of this by fitting a rear wing with higher downforce, specifically designed for wet-weather performance. This decision was guided by weather forecasts predicting a high probability of rain at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
However, the race start was delayed due to the extreme conditions on track. Race control opted for a long red flag period to allow the standing water to dissipate and for the track surface to dry out partially. When the race finally got underway, conditions had already improved, and the racing line was in an intermediate state. The track continued to dry rapidly as the laps progressed.
Despite starting from the pit lane, Lewis Hamilton was able to deliver a strong recovery drive that saw him finish in seventh position. But this result raised an important question: if Hamilton had run a similar low-downforce configuration to Charles Leclerc, would he have had the potential to finish even higher? Did Ferrari’s decision to go with a wet-weather rear wing actually benefit the British driver?
Analysis of Lewis Hamilton’s Comeback Drive at Spa
Lewis Hamilton’s climb through the field in Belgium was built around two decisive phases, both of which were positively influenced by the increased aerodynamic load provided by the revised rear wing.
The first critical moment came during the early laps of the race, when the track was still damp. In those conditions, the additional downforce helped Hamilton maintain superior grip through the corners, allowing him to make several overtakes in quick succession. This was a crucial phase of the race, as getting stuck behind a train of slower cars could have ruined his recovery strategy. The wet-oriented setup proved especially effective in boosting confidence and performance during this stage.
The second key moment arrived when the track dried sufficiently to switch to slick tyres. Scuderia Ferrari demonstrated excellent strategic awareness by calling Hamilton into the pits one lap earlier than many of his competitors. Once again, the higher downforce configuration played a crucial role: by generating more tyre energy and temperature, it enabled the slick tyres to reach optimal grip levels quickly. This allowed Hamilton to be immediately competitive after the stop, executing an effective undercut and gaining several positions as a result.
However, there were also drawbacks. In the closing stages of the race, Hamilton struggled to overtake Alexander Albon due to a lack of straight-line speed—a direct consequence of the high-downforce rear wing. Nevertheless, considering his pit-lane start and the urgent need to gain positions early, Ferrari’s brave strategy proved to be decisive and, ultimately, successful.
A Different Setup Strategy for Charles Leclerc
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc started from third on the grid with a lower-downforce setup, better suited for dry conditions. Given the absence of rain during the majority of the race and the fact that Leclerc did not need to fight through the field, the higher top speed provided by this configuration allowed him to effectively defend his position—particularly on the long Kemmel Straight, where he held off the advancing Max Verstappen.
In the end, Ferrari’s technical and strategic approach at Spa-Francorchamps proved to be highly effective. The team turned what initially looked like a compromised qualifying session—especially for Lewis Hamilton—into a competitive and well-executed race performance. By making full use of setup flexibility and weather-related opportunities, the Scuderia managed to extract the maximum potential from both of its drivers, underlining the growing sharpness of its race operations. Ferrari’s gamble with Hamilton’s wet-oriented rear wing might not have been perfect in every phase, but it was a key factor in enabling the British driver’s strong recovery.
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