Ferrari is gearing up for a bold 2025 with a rumored switch to a pull-rod front suspension, influenced by none other than Lewis Hamilton. The F1 legend, set to join Ferrari from Mercedes next season, is already making waves in the engineering department at Maranello.
Hamilton shook the F1 world in February when he announced his move to Ferrari on a multi-year contract, ending a storied career with Mercedes. The British driver has amassed six of his seven World Championships with Mercedes, becoming the first man to achieve over 100 grand prix victories and pole positions. His decision to leave Mercedes came just six months after signing a two-year extension, with a break clause allowing his sensational move to Ferrari.
Despite two consecutive winless seasons in 2022 and 2023, Hamilton returned to form in 2024, ending a 945-day victory drought with a win at Silverstone. He followed this up with another triumph at the Belgian Grand Prix, inheriting the victory after teammate George Russell’s disqualification.
With Hamilton’s impending switch, Italian publication Formu1a.uno reported that Ferrari has made “the first definitive decisions” regarding their 2025 car design. Notably, Ferrari plans to adopt a pull-rod front suspension, a choice inspired by Hamilton’s driving style, which aligns more closely with Charles Leclerc than with Carlos Sainz. Sainz, who is set to join Williams for 2025, contrasts with Leclerc’s and Hamilton’s driving preferences.
Ferrari’s suspension choices have been scrutinized in the current ground-effect era. While Haas and Ferrari have stuck with pull-rod rear suspension, other teams prefer push-rod setups. Red Bull and McLaren’s use of pull-rod front suspension has demonstrated clear aerodynamic advantages, enhancing airflow and downforce, critical under current regulations.
Shifting to a pull-rod front suspension will necessitate a new chassis design for Ferrari’s 2025 car, requiring new suspension arm attachments and potentially altering the driver’s cockpit position for optimized weight distribution. Hamilton had previously criticized his seating position at Mercedes in 2023, describing it as “one of the worst feelings when you’re driving a car.”
Former technical director Enrico Cardile, who led Ferrari’s resistance to follow conventional suspension designs, will join Aston Martin for 2025. He argued that Ferrari saw no significant aerodynamic difference between pull-rod and push-rod suspensions at the rear. Cardile’s departure paves the way for Loic Serra, arriving from Mercedes in October, to take over technical leadership at Ferrari.
A transition to a pull-rod front suspension marks a significant shift and symbolizes Hamilton’s influence even before donning the red overalls. It signals Ferrari’s bold strategy to refine their car’s dynamics, heavily inspired by one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
As Ferrari eyes revival, Lewis Hamilton’s influence is steering their design philosophy for the 2025 season. The move to a pull-rod front suspension underscores a commitment to innovation, with hopes of reclaiming championship glory. Hamilton’s legacy continues to shape the future of Formula 1, even beyond his tenure at Mercedes.
