Ferrari suspension, a development that could prove useful
When Ferrari rolled out its new rear suspension, notably during a Sprint weekend, many—including Lewis Hamilton—criticized the apparent delay in updates. However, the upgrade, working in synergy with the new floor introduced in Austria, addressed difficulties that had already emerged in Melbourne, when Ferrari realized that the SF-25 had a significant problem managing ride height.
Skepticism around the new suspension was fueled by two main factors: first, the championship is being dominated by McLaren, making it practically impossible for Ferrari to aim for more than a single race victory; second, Formula 1 is on the cusp of a revolutionary technical cycle, so focusing too much on patching the current season could be counterproductive with 2026 in mind. Nevertheless, work on the suspensions can still be highly valuable for the next year, as explained by Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur.
Fred Vasseur’s words
“We are all working hard to understand what we can transfer to 2026. Among these elements are the suspensions and the braking system. Only the aerodynamics cannot be carried over. It’s no coincidence that many teams this year have invested in suspension development: in addition to us, McLaren and Mercedes have also focused on it. Everything we learn now could give us an advantage next year,” Fred Vasseur told Auto Motor und Sport.
The Ferrari team principal also commented on the immediate effectiveness of the new suspension: “For us, it’s a step forward, and I would have liked to implement it earlier. However, changes of this magnitude in the middle of the season are never as efficient as those planned from the start. The price to pay includes additional weight, aerodynamic losses, and changes in driving dynamics. We built our car for a different type of suspension. When we brought it to Spa, I was nervous, especially during a Sprint weekend. With the limited time available, you have to test all the tire compounds, leaving little room to fine-tune the chassis. In the end, it worked quite well, and we used the Sprint race as a testing opportunity.”
In summary, while the mid-season suspension upgrade may not drastically alter Ferrari’s 2025 championship campaign, the knowledge and data gained are seen as a critical investment in the development of the 2026 car. By focusing on transferable components like suspension and brakes, Ferrari hopes to gain a head start on the next technical era, ensuring the team remains competitive as the sport undergoes significant regulatory changes.
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