Ferrari’s Bold Rear Suspension Upgrade at Mugello Reshapes SF-25’s 2025 F1 Future
The Ferrari paddock at Mugello buzzed with anticipation on July 16-17, 2025, as the team unveiled a groundbreaking rear suspension upgrade for the SF-25, a move that could redefine its struggling 2025 Formula 1 campaign. With Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton taking the wheel during a critical filming day, Ferrari tested a Loic Serra-inspired design aimed at tackling 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 grip window and boost stability, potentially turning the tide for a team fighting to secure P2 in the constructors’ standings and steal wins against 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 100 km session. The revised upper triangle arm, reattached lower on the gearbox housing, targets anti-squat behavior, aiming to flatten ride height oscillations—a key weakness exposed on circuits like Silverstone and Imola. Mugello’s demanding high-speed S’s and technical corners provided the perfect stress test, with engineers stacking sensors to cross-reference telemetry with driver feedback on tire contact and rear-end consistency.
Hamilton followed, leveraging his vast experience to push the upgrade through marathon stints under Tuscan heat, focusing on durability and handling forgiveness. The team trialed both aero and mechanical setups with low-downforce rear wings, mimicking Spa-like loads to explore synergies across configurations. This wasn’t just about raw speed but reprogramming the SF-25’s handling DNA, addressing a rear end that has been too skittish, unraveling on corner exits and compromising tire life. Leclerc’s initial reports of a “less peaky” feel through medium-speed transitions hinted at progress, while Hamilton’s precise feedback on curb performance suggested a potential breakthrough.
This upgrade, Ferrari’s last major 2025 development, is a strategic pivot rather than a title chase. With most development tokens spent, the team aims 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 delivers a more predictable throttle response—possibly aided by unannounced steering hydraulics tweaks—it could restore driver confidence, turning a liability into a strength on bumpy tracks and street circuits.
The stakes are high. Success could defend Ferrari’s P2 against McLaren’s 238-point lead and a resurgent Mercedes, while failure might divert resources from 2026 preparations. Mugello’s data, though promising, requires validation across conditions, with engineers cautiously optimistic yet restrained. The test’s intensity—compressed into 200 km under FIA filming day rules—reflected Ferrari’s urgency, turning every lap into a crucible of certainty. As the paddock whispers of a psychological boost for Leclerc and Hamilton, the upgrade’s true test awaits at Spa, where stability could unlock podiums and reshape Ferrari’s season narrative.
Fans worldwide are glued to this development, debating on social platforms whether Ferrari has cracked the code or merely masked symptoms. With the Belgian Grand Prix looming, the SF-25’s transformation hinges on this bold gamble, promising a thrilling chapter in Ferrari’s 2025 journey.
