Revealed: The ‘important’ hidden change to the Ferrari SF-25…read more
Ferrari’s Hidden Suspension Changes on the SF-25 Revealed
Ferrari has made some crucial yet subtle modifications to the rear suspension of their new SF-25 Formula 1 car, which will be driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in the 2025 season. These changes, while not immediately obvious, could play a significant role in Ferrari’s push for their first championship title since 2008.
The Italian team unveiled the SF-25 earlier this week, shortly after Formula 1’s season launch event in London on Tuesday. The following day, Hamilton and Leclerc took the car out for a shakedown run at Fiorano, Ferrari’s private test track, ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain, which begins on Wednesday.
Ferrari Targets a Title with the SF-25
Despite 2025 being the final year under the current regulations before major changes arrive in 2026, Ferrari has introduced several key design updates. The team, which narrowly missed out on second place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship—falling just 14 points short of McLaren—hopes that these refinements will give them a competitive edge.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has emphasized that the SF-25 is a “completely new” car compared to its predecessor, despite the carryover regulations. This suggests that Ferrari has gone beyond mere evolutionary updates and has instead opted for a fundamental reworking of several aspects of the car’s design.
Major Change: Pullrod Front Suspension
One of the most noticeable changes on the SF-25 is the adoption of a pullrod front suspension layout, a feature that has been successfully used by Red Bull and McLaren in recent seasons. Unlike the more conventional pushrod suspension, the pullrod design lowers the car’s center of gravity and improves airflow to the underbody, where most of the downforce is generated under current ground-effect regulations.
This change is expected to provide an aerodynamic advantage, helping Ferrari optimize their car’s efficiency and performance. The switch to a pullrod suspension is believed to have been made possible following the departure of former technical director Enrico Cardile, who left the team last summer to join Aston Martin. His exit may have allowed Ferrari’s technical team more flexibility in pursuing innovative design directions for 2025.
Hidden But ‘Important’ Rear Suspension Updates
While the pullrod front suspension is the most obvious alteration, reports suggest that Ferrari has also made “important” but less visible changes to the rear suspension of the SF-25. These refinements could be aimed at improving rear-end stability, tire management, and overall aerodynamic balance, all of which are crucial in modern F1 car design.
The rear suspension adjustments might help Ferrari enhance the car’s performance across different types of tracks and improve tire wear, an area that has been a challenge for the team in previous seasons. While the exact details of these modifications remain under wraps, they could prove instrumental in Ferrari’s quest to challenge Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes for race wins and, ultimately, championship glory.
Ferrari’s Bold Approach for 2025
Ferrari’s commitment to a bold redesign of the SF-25 demonstrates their determination to fight for the title in 2025. With Hamilton joining forces with Leclerc, the team boasts one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid, adding further excitement to the upcoming season.
As the official pre-season test in Bahrain approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari to see whether these technical changes translate into on-track performance. If the SF-25 proves competitive, it could mark the beginning of a thrilling battle for supremacy in the final season before F1’s major regulation overhaul in 2026.
