Ferrari under pressure after a challenging 2025 season
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur faces mounting pressure as the Scuderia struggles to recover after a disappointing 2025 campaign. The Italian outfit, once a dominant force in Formula 1, has encountered a series of setbacks that have raised serious questions about its competitiveness compared to rival teams. Vasseur’s position has occasionally been seen as vulnerable, especially as Ferrari appeared to lose ground compared to last season’s performance.
The Constructors’ Championship standings illustrate Ferrari’s difficulties. After the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes overtook the Scuderia, and McLaren now leads by more than 300 points, underscoring the scale of the challenge Ferrari faces. More troubling for the team is that neither of Ferrari’s current drivers, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, have secured a Grand Prix victory in 2025 so far, highlighting a lack of results at the front of the grid.
Questions around Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton is yet to achieve his first podium this season outside Sprint Races, which has reignited debates about whether Ferrari made the right decision to bring him in as a replacement for Carlos Sainz. Former Ferrari figures, such as Guenther Steiner, have suggested that some members of the team might regret the decision to sign Hamilton, though no senior personnel would publicly confirm this.
The contrast between Hamilton’s results and Carlos Sainz’s recent performance has been stark. Scoring his first podium of the season with Williams in Baku, the Spanish driver delivered a spectacular performance for a team that had not achieved a top-three finish in over four years. This result makes recent comments from Vasseur regarding a potential Carlos Sainz return even more noteworthy, particularly with the 2026 Formula 1 driver market expected to be extremely active.
Fred Vasseur leaves the door open for Sainz
According to a report from Spanish outlet MARCA, Fred Vasseur indicated, during an off-the-record breakfast with the Spanish media ahead of the British Grand Prix, that the door has never been completely closed on Carlos Sainz returning to Ferrari. While a comeback is not currently planned, Vasseur acknowledged that future circumstances could create the right conditions for Sainz to rejoin the Scuderia.
The French manager’s comments shed light on Ferrari’s internal dynamics. The report noted that an incident in Baku where Hamilton did not yield his position to Leclerc, considered a major misstep in Ferrari’s eyes, underscored ongoing tensions within the team. Historically, Ferrari has not routinely managed intra-team orders, although previous drivers like Rubens Barrichello understood their role alongside a leading teammate, such as Michael Schumacher in the early 2000s.
Contractual and strategic considerations
Currently, Hamilton has a contract clause that allows him to extend his stay with Ferrari through 2027. However, whether he chooses to exercise this clause if the team struggles to secure victories could influence the driver market significantly. Should Ferrari decide not to promote young talent like Oliver Bearman immediately, this scenario could pave the way for a possible Sainz return. Nevertheless, discussions about Mercedes’ 2026 power unit could complicate Sainz’s decision to leave Williams and rejoin Ferrari, as competitive engine performance will be a critical factor.
Williams’ resurgence and Sainz’s role
Williams has shown impressive progress under the leadership of team principal James Vowles, achieving a podium finish in Baku despite a strong focus on preparing for the 2026 season. The team’s improvement over the last 12 months suggests that they could be serious contenders next year, particularly if Mercedes develops an engine capable of delivering the expected high performance.
Former world champion Jenson Button has predicted that Williams could achieve multiple podiums in the near future. With Alex Albon performing exceptionally well in 2025, and Carlos Sainz capable of consistently matching this form, Williams is poised to remain a competitive force in Formula 1. This further complicates the decision for the Spaniard, who now faces the choice between remaining with a resurgent Williams or potentially returning to Ferrari at a later date.
Looking ahead to 2026
Fred Vasseur’s openness to considering Carlos Sainz for a future Ferrari seat highlights the strategic foresight of the team principal. Ferrari recognizes the importance of having a strong, experienced driver line-up to complement the development of future cars, and keeping the Spaniard as a potential option aligns with long-term planning. While immediate moves are unlikely, the combination of contractual clauses, team performance, and driver market dynamics means Carlos Sainz’s name remains relevant in discussions about Ferrari’s future.
