It is believed Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc tested the new Ferrari suspension upgrade on Thursday at Mugello as part of the team’s promotional ‘filming day’.
Both drivers recently took to the track to test Ferrari’s much-anticipated rear suspension upgrade on the SF-25, in an effort to close the huge performance gap ahead of next week’s Formula 1 Belgian GP at Spa-Francorchamps.
The developments unfolding with Ferrari’s technical package signal not only hope for better results but mark a significant step in the Maranello outfit’s medium-term plans as it chases confidence, consistency, and competitiveness in a fiercely contested season.
Amid a season marked by challenging results, Ferrari’s engineers and drivers have doubled down on development to address one of the most persistent weaknesses of their 2025 challenger: the sensitivity of the SF-25’s rear suspension to ride height changes.
This sensitivity has severely curtailed their ability to unlock the full potential of the car across different track conditions and setups, leading to compromised performances and limited strategic flexibility.
The issue has been especially troublesome on tracks with varying elevations and aggressive curbing, where maintaining optimal ride height is paramount for both aerodynamic efficiency and compliance with technical regulations regarding plank wear.
The Mugello test represented a crucial shakedown for the revised rear suspension. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc were permitted 200 kilometers of running under the ‘filming day’ regulation—a strategic opportunity to gather meaningful data and driver feedback outside the constraints of a standard grand prix weekend.
Engineers focused on validating not only the mechanical integration of the new parts but also ensuring the structural reliability of the modified upper wishbone attachment around the gearbox.
The Mugello test was necessary to confirm that the carbon fiber structure could withstand the reconfigured load paths without risking component integrity.
Technical sources indicate that the new Ferrari suspension upgrade involved lowering the front attachment point of the upper wishbone, a non-trivial change requiring precise engineering and real-world validation.
Ferrari’s previous iteration showed compatibility issues between the front-end pull-rod suspension—an innovation carried over from their prior models—and the original rear suspension, resulting in an imbalanced handling characteristic and a narrow operating window.
As a consequence, the SF-25 has struggled to adapt to rapid setup changes or accommodate extreme circuit-specific demands such as those found at Spa-Francorchamps, the next critical destination in the championship calendar.
The Mugello outing came on the heels of aerodynamic improvements introduced earlier in the season, notably a new floor package debuted at the Austrian Grand Prix.
While the floor upgrade brought promising gains—evidenced by improved qualifying and race performances in Austria and Silverstone—it did not fully resolve the rear stability and setup flexibility deficits.
The new suspension is thus seen as the complementary step required to unlock the maximum benefit from recent aerodynamic updates, providing a cohesive solution that addresses both mechanical and airflow considerations.
Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari machinery has by all accounts been a process of continuous exploration and refinement.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc have often been forced into compensatory driving approaches, sacrificing confidence under braking and corner entry—a direct result of rear-end instability and a nervous aerodynamic platform.
The revised suspension is being counted on to offer greater setup latitude and a broader ‘sweet spot’ for both drivers, amplifying their ability to extract peak performance during both qualifying and race stints.
It is worth noting Hamilton has yet to stand atop the podium as a Ferrari driver, with his best finishes being fourth place across multiple rounds, including at Silverstone. Leclerc, similarly, has enjoyed several podium visits but no victories to date in the ongoing campaign.
The current F1 drivers’ standings see Hamilton in sixth place just behind Leclerc, all trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by a significant margin, underscoring the pressing need for progress before the title fight becomes irretrievably out of reach for Ferrari this season.
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