Lewis Hamilton suggests Ferrari could close gap to F1 rivals by lowering SF25 ride height
Lewis Hamilton has indicated that Ferrari could improve the SF25’s performance and get closer to its Formula 1 competitors by adjusting the car’s ride height. The seven-time world champion believes that even small changes in setup could help the Scuderia unlock more potential from their 2025 F1 car.
Hamilton’s debut season at Ferrari has been largely underwhelming, with the driver yet to secure a podium finish. His best results so far have been fourth-place finishes at Imola, the Austrian Grand Prix, and Silverstone. The only exception came during the Chinese Grand Prix Sprint, where Lewis Hamilton initially celebrated a victory but was later disqualified from the main race after the plank wear on his SF25 exceeded the allowed tolerance. To prevent similar issues, Ferrari was forced to raise the rear ride height of the car, which has negatively impacted performance under the ground effect rules.
The ride height adjustment has been a key factor in Ferrari’s ongoing battle with Mercedes and Red Bull for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, with only 18 points separating the three teams. The Briton does not expect the Scuderia to match the pure pace of Red Bull or McLaren consistently, but he believes optimizing the SF25 setup could help Ferrari remain competitive and close the gap.
Hamilton explained that the lessons learned during the 2025 season, including understanding the car’s handling characteristics and collaborating with the engineering team, will benefit Ferrari in the long term. While he acknowledges that Red Bull and McLaren are generally ahead at most circuits, he emphasized that maximizing the SF25’s potential, particularly by lowering the car to improve aerodynamics and ground effect efficiency, could help Ferrari fight more effectively in races.
According to Lewis Hamilton, experience gained this season is crucial for future progress. He highlighted that continuous development and learning with the team will pay dividends for both the driver and Ferrari as they prepare for upcoming races and the transition to 2026 regulations. By making incremental performance gains, such as adjusting the ride height, Hamilton believes Ferrari could narrow the performance gap and become more competitive against F1 rivals throughout the remainder of the season.
