The Formula 1 paddock is preparing to return to action in Belgium, and Scuderia Ferrari is emerging as a serious contender to reclaim a leading role in the 2025 championship.
In just a few days, the Formula 1 world will head to the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit for the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix. All eyes will be on Ferrari, which is set to introduce and run for the first time in an official race weekend the significant technical updates previously tested at the Mugello circuit. According to several voices within the paddock, this could be the perfect opportunity for the Maranello-based team to demonstrate the true potential of its 2025 Formula 1 car.
At the iconic Spa track nestled in the Ardennes forest, Ferrari will debut its brand-new rear suspension system, which was recently evaluated during a private test session at Mugello. The purpose of this new suspension is to enable drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to race with a car that sits lower to the ground, thereby addressing the persistent ride-height issues that have plagued the team since the beginning of the season.
Former Formula 1 driver and current analyst Jolyon Palmer spoke about the potential game-changing nature of Ferrari’s latest update. During an episode of the official F1 Nation podcast, Palmer commented: “It would be fascinating to see it play out. It really could be a turning point.”
He continued by highlighting a key technical challenge Ferrari faces: “We’ve already seen that when Ferrari manages to lower the car’s ride height, they become significantly more competitive. The issue is doing it legally within the confines of the current technical regulations. It’s a Sprint weekend at Spa, which adds another layer of difficulty. Finding the right ride height in such a limited timeframe is going to be tricky.”
Palmer also pointed out the extreme demands of Spa’s unique layout: “With Eau Rouge and that intense compression zone, everyone is already pushing the limits of ground clearance. You don’t really know how the car will behave until you actually complete all 40 laps of the Grand Prix. It’s definitely challenging to introduce a performance-focused upgrade aimed at lowering the car for better aero stability. But in terms of raw performance gains, I believe this could be a huge leap forward for them.”
He also referenced the upgrades Ferrari brought to the Austrian Grand Prix in Spielberg, noting how they helped improve the car’s behavior at high-speed tracks. “In Austria, they introduced an upgrade package that worked well, giving them more downforce and a more stable aerodynamic platform, which proved valuable at a fast circuit like Silverstone. The next step now is unlocking performance at low speed. The slower you run, paradoxically, the faster you get overall. I genuinely have high hopes for them this weekend.”
“Disastrous season, but there’s still room for recovery”
Speaking about Ferrari’s season so far with the SF-25, Palmer did not shy away from criticism: “There’s no way around it—this season has been a disappointment. We’re now at the halfway point. But if they manage to push to the maximum from this stage onward, they could still turn it into a respectable year. They’re currently second in the Constructors’ Championship and there’s a chance they could surpass both Red Bull Racing and Mercedes.”
As for the drivers, Palmer sees potential for improvement in the standings: “Charles Leclerc, and potentially even Lewis Hamilton, could benefit if George Russell and Max Verstappen continue to drop points. It’s not out of the question that, with a consistently performing car, they could aim for third place in the Drivers’ Championship. I’m clinging to every bit of hope for them.”
He concluded on a pragmatic note: “Looking at the season as a whole, on paper, it’s a disastrous year. But if Ferrari ends up being the best of the rest behind McLaren, that’s still better than nothing.”
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