Ferrari are about to make a ‘quantum leap’ with Lewis Hamilton’s car that could help him for years

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Ferrari sit second in the constructors’ championship at the halfway point of the 2025 Formula 1 season. They’re the only team in the top four yet to win a race, but they’ve been more consistent than Mercedes and Red Bull.

For a variety of reasons, Kimi Antonelli has failed to score points in five of the last six races. Mercedes have been overreliant on George Russell, and that problem is even more extreme at Red Bull, where Yuki Tsunoda has only contributed seven points.

Charles Leclerc was furious with himself after British GP qualifying, but he’s generally got the most out of the SF-25 this season. Lewis Hamilton has improved in recent races after a disappointing start, stringing together six straight top-six finishes.

Clearly, the season has fallen well short of both drivers’ expectations. But there is some hope for the second half, starting with the Belgian Grand Prix at the end of this month.

Ferrari’s new rear suspension is expected to be a ‘quantum leap’

Ferrari are headed to the Mugello circuit in Tuscany next week to test out their new rear suspension. They are utilising one of the filming days they are allowed within the regulations.

The Scuderia have booked out the track for two days, with their reserve drivers also in action, as per Sky Italy. They are hoping to carry out some initial functionality checks to ensure they’re fully prepared for Spa.

The expectation is that the new design, combined with the updated floor that arrived in Austria, will produce ‘a quantum leap in quality’. Based on the team’s projections, Hamilton would have outpaced both McLarens in Silverstone qualifying with the upgrade.

Crucially, the report adds that these mechanical changes could also help the team finalise ‘the suspension for next year’. While most of the car will be different under the new regulations, this is one area that could carry over.

Why Lewis Hamilton could leave Ferrari if they sign Christian Horner

If they hit on a concept that works, Ferrari could see the benefits for multiple years. That’s the significance of this upgrade.

Hamilton will be dreaming of a first Grand Prix win in red within the next 12 races. If the Maranello outfit end the year without one, the new suspension is likely to be seen as a failure.

That, in turn, would ratchet up the pressure on Fred Vasseur, who’s out of contract at the end of the year. After his departure from Red Bull, the Christian Horner to Ferrari links have inevitably resumed.

However, the feeling is that Hamilton could leave Ferrari if they hire Horner. That’s because he ‘adores’ Vasseur, who managed him in the junior categories, and he’s expressed full support in public.