Lewis Hamilton Summoned by Ferrari to Solve F1 Weakness with V…read more
Ferrari have taken a bold step towards resolving their performance woes by calling upon seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for an important mid-season test at Mugello, aiming to tackle one of the team’s biggest weaknesses in the 2025 Formula 1 season—ride-height sensitivity. Although the Scuderia currently sit second in the constructors’ championship, trailing by 238 points behind runaway leaders McLaren, there is growing optimism within the Italian camp that a resurgence is possible, especially after recent technical upgrades.
Ferrari’s struggles became more apparent after the Chinese Grand Prix earlier in the season, where Hamilton was disqualified due to excessive plank wear caused by low ride height. That incident forced the Maranello-based outfit to adjust their setup by running their SF-25 higher off the ground than ideal. The compromise in aerodynamic efficiency was evident in subsequent races, with the team losing momentum and failing to consistently challenge McLaren or even fend off resurgent threats from Mercedes and Red Bull.
However, all hope is not lost. A new rear suspension package, introduced with the goal of optimizing the SF-25’s ride-height control, showed encouraging signs during the Austrian Grand Prix. The package is believed to improve how the car handles on bumpy circuits, an area in which Ferrari had fallen behind. With the season now at its halfway mark and the title fight still within mathematical reach, Ferrari are using every available opportunity to push their car back into top-tier competitiveness.
To fast-track their understanding of the new component, Ferrari held a special filming day this week at the historic Mugello circuit—an event that gave Hamilton and his teammate Charles Leclerc a chance to test the upgraded suspension system in controlled conditions. Although FIA regulations limited the team to just 200 kilometers of running during the event, the value of the data collected from these laps could prove critical in the second half of the season.
Earlier in the week, Ferrari’s reserve drivers Zhou Guanyu and Antonio Giovinazzi had also participated in the team’s TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) program at Mugello. Their laps served primarily to reacclimatize the team’s support staff and evaluate performance benchmarks before Hamilton and Leclerc took to the track with the updated SF-25. Ferrari’s technical department, led by Enrico Cardile and supported closely by Hamilton’s feedback, will now assess the results to determine the potential of the revised rear suspension.
Hamilton’s role is especially vital in this development phase. With over 300 Grand Prix starts and decades of racing experience, he brings not only driving talent but also deep technical insight. This is one of the key reasons Ferrari made the bold move to sign him away from Mercedes for 2025. His early months at Maranello have been filled with challenges, but moments like this prove why the Scuderia invested heavily in bringing him aboard. By trusting Hamilton with testing responsibilities, Ferrari signal their desire to evolve quickly and decisively—traits that have often eluded them in past seasons of underperformance.
The urgency of this testing session also stems from the unique demands of the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Spa is a sprint weekend on the 2025 calendar, meaning teams will only have a single one-hour practice session before entering parc fermé conditions, where no further significant changes can be made to the cars. Therefore, the opportunity to assess and refine key components like suspension geometry beforehand is invaluable.
Should the Mugello test prove successful, Ferrari will likely run the revised setup at Spa in hopes of closing the performance gap. The Belgian GP presents an interesting opportunity for the Scuderia, not only due to the demanding nature of the track—which tests both downforce and mechanical grip—but also because sprint weekends tend to throw up surprises. A well-prepared team can extract more than expected under such conditions, especially if rivals struggle to dial in their setups in the limited timeframe.
Ferrari’s decision to hold a filming day—typically used for media and promotional purposes—as a disguised test session reveals how creatively they are pushing the regulations to their limit. While the running was indeed restricted to 200 km and had to take place on promotional tyres, both Hamilton and Leclerc’s stints still offer important telemetry and driver feedback. Engineers will now comb through this data in Maranello, simulating various race scenarios and performance maps to refine the final package before it hits the track at Spa.
Another noteworthy element is Hamilton’s involvement in this specific test rather than being left to only participate during race weekends. It shows a deeper integration between him and the technical departments—a collaborative environment Ferrari hopes will be a game-changer. Unlike the past few years where drivers were often kept on the periphery of engineering discussions, Ferrari are now welcoming Hamilton’s direct feedback into car development decisions.
The stakes remain high. Ferrari’s drought in championship silverware dates back to 2008, and the heartbreak of losing the 2024 constructors’ title to McLaren by just 14 points still stings. While the current 238-point gap in 2025 seems formidable, there are still enough races—and sprint sessions—left on the calendar to mount a fightback. With improved reliability, smarter strategies, and now a more compliant chassis, Ferrari are cautiously optimistic.
In conclusion, Lewis Hamilton’s Mugello test could prove to be a pivotal moment in Ferrari’s 2025 season. Whether this new rear suspension helps tame the SF-25’s flaws remains to be seen, but the Scuderia’s commitment to innovation, rapid development, and deepened reliance on Hamilton’s expertise marks a new chapter in their championship push. With Spa-Francorchamps just around the corner and time running short, Ferrari know every lap and every tweak counts—and they are pulling out all the stops to ensure they’re ready for battle.
