Ferrari adopts ultra-cautious approach due to strained relations with the FIA. Ferrari’s cautious approach in 2025 may be the result of ongoing tension with the FIA.

Paddock rumours | Ferrari’s ultra-conservative approach amid uneasy relations with the FIA

Corriere della Sera has highlighted the numerous inspections carried out this season on the Ferrari SF-25, suggesting that the team’s extremely cautious technical approach could be linked to strained relations with the FIA.

The report

The latest edition of Corriere della Sera has analyzed the many errors committed by Scuderia Ferrari throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season — both in terms of design and on-track execution. These mistakes have so far prevented the Maranello team from achieving a single race victory this year.

The Italian newspaper focused on the updates introduced to the SF-25 aimed at improving the car’s balance and overall performance. However, it also pointed out that Ferrari’s technical direction has been marked by a certain level of caution, possibly linked to the atmosphere surrounding its relationship with the governing body.

In this regard, journalist Daniele Sparisci noted that “within the paddock, there are whispers of less than serene relations with the FIA, which has carried out extremely frequent checks on the Ferraris, consequently pushing the team towards ultra-conservative approaches in every area.”

The FIA inspections

The situation described by the Italian daily newspaper seems to be supported by a series of official documents. Over the course of the season, the Ferrari SF-25 has repeatedly come under the scrutiny of FIA stewards.

At the Chinese Grand Prix, Ferrari suffered a double disqualification — Charles Leclerc was penalized for being underweight, while Lewis Hamilton was excluded for excessive wear of the plank. These incidents were followed by numerous additional checks throughout the championship.

In Japan, officials verified Ferrari’s pit stop procedures and equipment, ensuring full compliance with the regulations. Later, at the Canadian Grand Prix, the fuel pump on Leclerc’s car was inspected, while in Hungary, the same car — the #16 SF-25 — was examined again, this time regarding the real-time tyre pressure monitoring system.

Finally, one of the most detailed inspections occurred during the Spanish Grand Prix weekend in Barcelona, when the FIA spent approximately 40 minutes checking the front wings of the SF-25. Such a prolonged and meticulous analysis was noted as unusually intense compared to typical post-session checks.

All these repeated inspections may help explain the atmosphere of tension reportedly existing between Ferrari and the FIA. According to Corriere della Sera, these ongoing verifications have influenced the team’s overall approach, pushing engineers and management to adopt a more cautious attitude when introducing updates or experimenting with aggressive technical solutions.

This scenario would clarify why Ferrari’s development path during the 2025 season appears particularly conservative compared to rivals Red Bull or McLaren, both of which have introduced bold upgrades in recent races. The Maranello squad, in contrast, seems to have prioritized compliance and reliability over innovation and risk-taking.

Such prudence, while understandable in light of the constant scrutiny, might have limited the team’s competitiveness. Many within the paddock now wonder whether Ferrari’s ultra-conservative strategy — born out of a desire to avoid further controversies with the FIA — may have inadvertently hindered its chances of returning to victory in 2025.