Mugello test completed: what has been changed on the suspension of the SF-25
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton shared the 200 kilometers of today’s filming day at the Mugello circuit in Tuscany
Filming day successfully completed
As scheduled in the team’s development program, Scuderia Ferrari successfully completed today the planned 200 kilometers of testing during the official filming day held at the Mugello Circuit. This track, which is located in the scenic Tuscan hills and owned by Ferrari itself, allowed the team to conduct just under 40 laps—an approximate equivalent to the maximum permitted distance for filming day activities under current Formula 1 regulations.
The day’s running began in the morning with Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc behind the wheel of the SF-25, which was fitted with a revised suspension configuration. Later in the afternoon, seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton took over driving duties, completing his share of the permitted distance. The two Ferrari drivers, both representing the historic team from Maranello during the 2025 season, equally split the allotted mileage in accordance with the sport’s regulations regarding promotional events.
What changes were made to the SF-25’s suspension
The modifications introduced to the suspension system of the Ferrari SF-25 were developed with a specific objective in mind: to improve control over the ride height of the Formula 1 car. By doing so, Ferrari aimed to broaden the effective operating window of the car’s aerodynamic platform. This allows for a more consistent and stable aerodynamic performance across varying conditions, which is crucial in achieving consistent lap times and better tire management.
The targeted effect of this intervention was to provide greater rear-end stability under braking—historically one of the persistent weak points of the SF-25 project throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season. Additionally, the revised suspension geometry was designed to extend the usable operating window of the Pirelli tires, improving both performance and durability during race weekends.
According to reports published by La Stampa, the updated suspension featured a reworked geometry of the upper suspension arms, which included a new mounting point to the chassis. The internal components of the suspension assembly were also revised, pointing to a more comprehensive reengineering effort rather than a minor tweak.
Further insights from Motorsport Italia highlighted the presence of Loïc Serra in the Ferrari garage during the test. Serra, who currently holds the role of Technical Director at Scuderia Ferrari, was there to personally evaluate the performance of the new rear suspension setup on the SF-25.
Initial feedback from the test, according to the Italian publication, suggested that Charles Leclerc did not perceive a dramatic difference in terms of immediate handling changes with the new configuration. Nevertheless, the team confirmed that the updated rear suspension would still be brought to the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix.
Despite the limited feedback during real-world testing at Mugello, telemetry data and results from the dynamic test bench reportedly gave the revised suspension system a positive verdict, indicating that the upgrade shows promise for competitive use.
Challenging debut at Spa-Francorchamps due to Sprint format
The next step for Ferrari will be integrating and fine-tuning the new suspension components during an actual Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend. However, the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps—scheduled for July 25–27—presents additional complexity. The weekend will follow the Sprint format, which reduces the available free practice time and compresses the schedule, leaving teams with less margin to refine new setups.
As a result, Ferrari will face a considerable challenge in optimizing the newly introduced rear suspension system within such a limited timeframe. Nonetheless, the Mugello test marked an essential step forward in their ongoing development path for the SF-25, as the team from Maranello seeks to close the performance gap to front-running teams in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship.
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