A bitter weekend for Ferrari at Monza
After a lacklustre Italian Grand Prix at Monza, Ferrari once again failed to bring joy to its fans. The race left the Tifosi with disappointment, sparking provocative suggestions about the team’s leadership and direction.
For sports lovers, Julio Velasco is seen as almost a guru, someone from whom there is always something to learn. His recent triumphs with the Italian women’s volleyball national team, where he has collected both World Championship and Olympic victories, have only further elevated him to the status of a living legend. Achievements like these stand in stark contrast to those currently leading Ferrari, a team that at Monza once again struggled to deliver satisfaction to its supporters.
The Scuderia currently holds second place in the Constructors’ standings, but largely due to the shortcomings of its rivals rather than its own merit. Mercedes, for example, is “weakened” by relying on a rookie as their second driver, while Red Bull is effectively racing with only one competitive car, as their second seat fails to contribute significantly. It is under these circumstances that Ferrari has been able to consolidate its position race after race.
A provocative suggestion
Despite this, the uneventful Italian Grand Prix has prompted Leo Turrini, a well-known journalist with strong ties to Ferrari, to make a provocative proposal. He wrote: “The statistics are heartbreaking. Zero wins this season. Lewis Hamilton has never been on the podium and we are already in September. Charles Leclerc is lost in a desert of emotions that cannot be reproduced every time. Monza confirms what has sadly been clear for a long time: we must resign ourselves and bet once again on next year. Charles’s somber words after the race were a manifesto of powerlessness, a declaration of surrender. How many times have we told ourselves that we will win the following year? How many times? Thankfully, the incredible show of passion from the fans inside the park that hosts the Italian Grand Prix demonstrates the remarkable resilience of a collective sentiment that remains stronger than disappointment, disillusion, and broken hopes. But sooner or later, it will be time to repay this unwavering enthusiasm. When, monsieur Vasseur? P.S. I have been friends with Julio Velasco since 1985. Even back then I used to tell him it was a shame he wasn’t an expert in Formula 1. I have not changed my mind.”
Leo Turrini’s remarks, shared on his blog ‘Profondo Rosso’, were meant as a joke but reopened a very serious debate that has been simmering for months: does Ferrari truly have the right technical leadership to return to glory? For now, it seems that fans and insiders alike can do nothing but wait until 2026, the much-talked-about “next year.”
