Ferrari’s New Rear Suspension: A Step Towards Progress in Formula 1

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season is taking an exciting turn, with a significant upgrade in the form of a new rear suspension system that debuted at the Belgian Grand Prix. This update, which has generated a lot of buzz within the racing community, was hailed as a success by Ferrari’s two drivers. However, what makes the introduction of this rear suspension even more intriguing is the fact that the team wasn’t necessarily expecting immediate improvements on tracks like the one in Belgium, which posed unique challenges for the SF25.

A Strong Debut in Belgium

Despite the challenging conditions in Belgium, Ferrari’s new rear suspension showed potential. The team’s expectations for the upgrade were higher for circuits like the Hungarian Grand Prix, which offers a different set of challenges that could allow them to exploit the full potential of the new system. At Belgium, the conditions were far from ideal for testing such a new component. The weather played a big role, with rainy and wet conditions limiting the ability to truly gauge the effectiveness of the suspension. Furthermore, the Belgian Grand Prix was part of a sprint weekend, meaning that the time allocated for practice and adjustments was severely limited.

However, even under these less-than-optimal conditions, the results were positive. Both of Ferrari’s drivers expressed that they were able to be more aggressive with the car’s handling, particularly in terms of rear stability. Unlike the previous rear suspension, which had exhibited noticeable movement under certain conditions, the new system allowed for a more planted rear end. This gave the drivers more confidence when pushing the car to its limits.

The real positive takeaway from the Belgian weekend was that Ferrari believes there’s still untapped potential in the system. Since they only had one practice session on a wet track, much of the suspension’s full performance had yet to be unlocked. There are still adjustments and optimizations to be made, especially when it comes to mid-corner aerodynamic load, an area where Ferrari hopes to find even more performance gains.

Why Ferrari Is Looking Forward to Hungary

While the Belgian Grand Prix served as a promising debut for the rear suspension, Ferrari is setting its sights on Hungary as the real test. The Hungaroring, with its unique characteristics, provides the perfect environment to evaluate the rear suspension’s capabilities. The circuit is known for its long-radius corners, which demand excellent aerodynamic stability and balance throughout the entire corner. Unlike tracks with more abrupt or sharp corners, Hungary’s layout requires cars to maintain a consistent aerodynamic load during the middle phase of each turn.

This continuous, medium-to-high-speed cornering nature is exactly where Ferrari’s previous rear suspension struggled. It often failed to provide consistent aerodynamic load, which in turn compromised the car’s handling and balance. With the new rear suspension, Ferrari hopes to see a dramatic improvement in this area. If the changes prove effective, the difference in performance will be visible not only in lap times but also in telemetry data, where improvements in cornering efficiency will be noticeable.

Adding to the excitement for Ferrari is the fact that Hungary represents a more traditional race weekend. Unlike the sprint format in Belgium, the Hungaroring provides ample time for practice and setup optimization. The team will have three full practice sessions, each lasting one hour. This gives Ferrari a valuable opportunity to fine-tune the rear suspension and other car parameters to extract the maximum performance possible. With more time on track and fewer restrictions on setup, Ferrari can ensure that their SF25 is dialed in and ready for the challenges of Hungary.

Performance Gains and Optimizations

One of the most significant aspects of Ferrari’s new rear suspension is its potential for further optimization. Despite not having fully explored its limits in Belgium, the early signs indicate that the system can bring substantial improvements to the car’s overall performance. The main area of focus is improving the balance between downforce, aerodynamic load, and ride height. These factors are crucial for the SF25 to maximize its grip and speed through corners, particularly in circuits like Hungary.

Another exciting development is Ferrari’s ability to extract more from the car’s floor, which had been upgraded just before the Belgian Grand Prix. Although they hadn’t fully optimized the floor in Belgium due to the limited practice time, the rear suspension seemed to synergize well with the updated floor, leading to better performance than expected. This synergy is likely to continue as Ferrari spends more time refining both components in upcoming races.

The Role of Lewis Hamilton and the Team’s Integration

The Belgian Grand Prix also showcased the impact of some behind-the-scenes changes at Ferrari. Former Mercedes power unit engineer, who is now part of the team, has already started making a difference in Ferrari’s performance. This change has accelerated the integration of new technologies and ideas, fast-tracking the team’s adaptation to the new rear suspension and other developments.

Even though the focus has primarily been on Ferrari’s car upgrades, it’s important to note the mental aspect of the team’s performance as well. Lewis Hamilton, despite the challenging race conditions, displayed optimism and confidence after making an impressive recovery in Belgium, gaining 11 positions and finishing in seventh. This confidence is key not only for Hamilton but also for the Ferrari team, as it signals the belief that further improvements are on the horizon. Such an attitude could be crucial in rallying the team around the new rear suspension and pushing for even greater results in the coming races.

Looking Ahead: McLaren and the 2025 Battle

While Ferrari is focused on their own improvements, they are also acutely aware of their competitors. McLaren, in particular, has been a dominant force recently and will likely continue to be a tough rival, especially in race trim. In Hungary, McLaren is expected to be one of the fastest teams, and Ferrari may find themselves trailing behind by a significant margin on race day. However, Ferrari is hopeful that the new rear suspension, combined with ongoing optimizations, will help them close the gap and challenge McLaren more effectively.

There’s also talk of a potential upgrade package for Ferrari later in the season. A new floor has been rumored, though recent reports suggest that this upgrade might be scrapped. The decision stems from Ferrari’s focus on the 2026 model and the resources required to continue developing the car. Although this might be disappointing for fans, Ferrari remains optimistic about what they can achieve with their current upgrades. If the new rear suspension proves effective in Hungary and subsequent races, Ferrari could still have a strong second half of the season.

Conclusion: Ferrari’s Path to Success

As Ferrari heads into the Hungarian Grand Prix with the new rear suspension in tow, the team is cautiously optimistic about the improvements it can bring. The early results from Belgium were promising, and there is plenty of room for further optimization. With a more traditional race weekend in Hungary, Ferrari has the opportunity to fine-tune their setup and see the true potential of their upgraded SF25.

Despite facing stiff competition from teams like McLaren, Ferrari’s commitment to continuous development and their growing confidence in the new rear suspension suggest that they could make significant strides in the latter part of the season. As the Formula 1 season progresses, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see if these changes can elevate them to the front of the grid and challenge for race wins once again.

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