Ferrari’s Bold SF-25 Upgrade at Spa: Can the New Rear Suspension Turn the 2025 Season Around?

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season has been a rollercoaster of high hopes and persistent challenges, but the Scuderia is banking on a game-changing upgrade package at the Belgian Grand Prix to salvage their campaign. Set to debut at Spa-Francorchamps on July 25-27, 2025, the revised rear suspension for the SF-25 promises to address critical weaknesses, with team principal Frédéric Vasseur and technical director Loïc Serra estimating a performance boost of up to three-tenths of a second per lap. This upgrade, tested at Mugello on July 16-17, aims to tackle the car’s instability under braking and ride height issues that have plagued drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton since the season opener in Australia. As McLaren dominates with 460 points in the constructors’ championship, Ferrari’s 238-point deficit underscores the urgency of this move. Will this upgrade propel Ferrari back to the front, or is it too late to challenge for 2025 glory?

The SF-25’s struggles stem from its sensitivity to ride height variations, a flaw exposed at the Australian Grand Prix and culminating in disqualifications for both Leclerc and Hamilton in Shanghai due to plank wear from running too low. The new rear suspension, developed under Serra’s guidance, focuses on stabilizing the rear end, particularly during braking and corner turn-in. By refining the damper system and upper wishbone geometry, Ferrari aims to reduce aerodynamic porpoising and improve tire management, critical for Spa’s high-speed corners like Eau Rouge and Pouhon. Telemetry from Mugello’s 38-lap test, where Leclerc and Hamilton each completed 19 laps, showed a modest but measurable improvement in rear stability, though Leclerc noted no dramatic change in handling. Hamilton, however, expressed growing confidence, suggesting the upgrade could unlock setup flexibility, potentially allowing the SF-25 to run lower for added downforce without risking damage.

Ferrari’s strategic shift began with a new floor introduced at the Austrian Grand Prix, yielding a podium for Leclerc and a P4 for Hamilton. The Silverstone Grand Prix further highlighted progress, with the SF-25 showing competitive single-lap pace, though race-day tire degradation and low-speed understeer remain hurdles. The Spa upgrade builds on this, targeting a 0.3-second gain that could be decisive in qualifying, where margins are razor-thin. Posts on X, including from @GazzettaFerrari, suggest optimism within the paddock, with estimates of a 0.1-second gain from the combined floor and suspension package, though some, like Sky Sport’s Carlo Vanzini, urge caution against overhyping the update. The Sprint format at Spa, with just one hour of free practice, complicates fine-tuning, putting pressure on Ferrari’s engineers to nail the setup early.

Internal dynamics add intrigue. Hamilton, in his first season with Ferrari, has voiced frustration, advocating a shift to 2026 development given McLaren’s dominance and Ferrari’s winless streak in full-length Grands Prix. Leclerc, however, remains focused on extracting the SF-25’s potential, believing it can compete with McLaren’s MCL39 in specific conditions. Vasseur’s refusal to abandon 2025 reflects a belief that lessons learned now will inform the 2026 car under new regulations. The departure of Enrico Racca, former head of supply chain, delayed the suspension’s debut from Silverstone to Spa, highlighting logistical challenges. Yet, with Loïc Serra overseeing the project, Ferrari’s technical team is confident, citing positive dynamic test bench data and wind tunnel results.

Spa’s demanding layout—high-speed straights, elevation changes, and variable weather—will be the ultimate proving ground. A successful upgrade could see Ferrari challenge McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who’ve claimed nine wins in 2025. Posts on X, such as @FerrariF1FRA’s note on Serra’s leadership, reflect cautious optimism among fans, though some question if the effort comes too late. Ferrari’s P2 in the constructors’ standings, 12 points ahead of Mercedes and 50 ahead of Red Bull, hangs in the balance. If the SF-25 can harness its high-speed cornering strength and overcome tire and dirty air issues, a victory at Spa or later tracks like Monza could be within reach, as Jolyon Palmer suggested. As Ferrari fights to prove its championship mettle, the Belgian Grand Prix will reveal whether this bold upgrade marks a turning point or another missed opportunity in a season of unfulfilled promise.