The Ferrari paddock at Mugello buzzed with anticipation for July 16-17, 2025, as the team unveiled a revolutionary rear suspension upgrade for the SF-25, a move that could redefine its struggling Formula 1 campaign. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton taking the wheel during a critical day of testing, Ferrari tested a Serra-inspired design aimed at addressing the car’s persistent ride height sensitivity, a flaw that has hampered its competitiveness.
The upgrade, debuted under intense scrutiny, promises to widen the car’s rear window and increase stability, potentially turning the tide for a team battling to secure P2 in the constructors’ standings and steal victories from McLaren and Mercedes.
The test began with reserve drivers Zhou Guanyu, Antonio Fuoco, and Antonio Giovinazzi laying the groundwork, running the SF-23 to gather baseline data. However, the spotlight shifted when Leclerc piloted the SF-25 with the new suspension, completing nearly 20 laps across a compressed 100km session.
The revised upper wishbone, reattached lower on the gearbox housing, targets anti-squat behavior, aiming to flatten ride height oscillations—a key weakness exposed at circuits like Silverstone and Imola. Mugello’s demanding S-bends and technical, high-speed corners provided the perfect stress test, with engineers stacking sensors to run telemetry cross-referenced with driver feedback on tire contact and rear-end consistency.
Hamilton followed suit, leveraging his extensive experience to push the upgrade through marathon periods in the Tuscan heat, focusing on durability and managing forgiveness. The team tested both aerodynamic and mechanical configurations with low-force rear wings, mimicking Spa-like loads to explore the synergies between the configurations. It wasn’t just about raw speed, but about reprogramming the SF-25’s handling DNA, addressing a rear end that was too mischievous, revealing on corner exits, and compromising tire life. Leclerc’s initial reports of a “less peak” feeling through medium-speed transitions hinted at progress, while Hamilton’s precise feedback on curbside performance suggested a potential breakthrough.
This update, Ferrari’s last major development of 2025, is a strategic pivot rather than a title chase. With most of its development dollars spent, the team is aiming to stabilize the car for the season’s climax, particularly at the Belgian Grand Prix on July 25-27. The SF-25’s sensitivity has forced drivers to tiptoe around its limits, a frustration Hamilton has vocalized all year. If the new suspension provides more predictable throttle response, likely aided by unannounced hydraulic steering adjustments, it could restore driver confidence, turning a liability into a strength on bumpy tracks and street circuits.
The stakes are high. Success could protect Ferrari’s P2 finish against McLaren’s 238-point advantage and a resurgent Mercedes, while failure could divert resources from 2026 preparations. The Mugello data, while promising, requires validation amidst the conditions, with engineers cautiously optimistic but restrained. The intensity of the test—compressed into 200 km according to the FIA’s Filming Day rules—reflected Ferrari’s urgency, turning every lap into a crucible of certainty. While the paddock whispers of a psychological boost for Leclerc and Hamilton, the true test of the upgrade awaits at Spa, where stability could unlock podium finishes and reshape Ferrari’s seasonal narrative.
Fans around the world are glued to this development, debating on social media whether Ferrari has broken the rules or is simply masking symptoms. With the Belgian Grand Prix, the SF-25’s transformation hinges on this bold gamble, promising an exciting chapter in Ferrari’s 2025 journey.
