There has been much discussion in recent weeks about the major technical updates Ferrari planned to introduce at the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. Now, as Formula 1 prepares to race at the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit, Scuderia Ferrari is hoping to make a decisive step forward in its competitive trajectory. However, Lewis Hamilton has offered a word of caution to fans of the Maranello-based team, highlighting that the Sprint format used this weekend will make it even harder for the team to fully evaluate the new parts and achieve optimal performance right away.
The upgrades brought by Ferrari for this event mainly concern the SF-25’s suspension system. After weeks of preparation and development, the Italian outfit aims to make meaningful progress in extracting more consistent performance from its 2025 challenger. Ferrari’s two drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, have spent several sessions in the simulator in recent days to get ready, but actual track time against their competitors will be essential to understanding the real-world effectiveness of these upgrades.
The Spa weekend will thus serve as a key test for Scuderia Ferrari. After a limited shakedown during a filming day at Mugello, the team will now run the updated package under full Grand Prix conditions. But with this being a Sprint weekend, the challenge becomes even greater. Ferrari will only have one single hour of Free Practice on Friday to gather data, assess setup options, and understand how the upgrades behave on the demanding Belgian circuit.
Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari from Mercedes at the beginning of the 2025 season, spoke about the limited time available and the importance of making the most of every session. Referring specifically to Charles Leclerc, his teammate, the seven-time World Champion emphasized how both sides of the garage must work together efficiently to collect as much data as possible.
“We don’t have a lot of time,” Lewis Hamilton explained when discussing Friday’s practice schedule. “So we need to double the effort. It’s essential to gather as much information as possible from both cars. We have to maximize the entire session.”
Despite the buzz around Ferrari’s upgrades, Lewis Hamilton was quick to temper expectations. He clarified that the updates to the SF-25 are not miracle components that can instantly transform the car into a dominant force, especially not during a weekend constrained by the Sprint format. He acknowledged that while the improvements are an important step in the car’s development, it is unlikely that the full potential will be unlocked at Spa.
“In terms of car setup, it’s highly unlikely that we’ll be able to fully optimize everything over the course of this weekend,” Lewis Hamilton admitted. “That’s probably something we’ll be able to refine more effectively over the coming race weekends.”
Ultimately, the Belgian Grand Prix represents a crucial point in Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign. The team is determined to close the gap to Red Bull and McLaren, and the debut of this suspension upgrade is a key step in that direction. But Lewis Hamilton’s words serve as a reminder that real progress in Formula 1 takes time, precision, and patience—even when expectations are high.
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