Ferrari Faces Internal Pressure as Chassis Technical Director Diego Tondi Comes Under Scrutiny
Ferrari heads into the 2025 F1 Dutch Grand Prix hoping to end the season on a high note, but the team in Maranello is currently navigating a period of turbulence. As the Scuderia prepares for round 15 of the 24-race season in Zandvoort, they remain second in the Constructors’ Championship, trailing McLaren by a significant 299 points and still searching for their first Grand Prix victory of the year.
Charles Leclerc managed to secure Ferrari’s first pole position of the 2025 season at the Hungarian Grand Prix before the summer break. However, strategic compromises to prevent excessive floor wear during the race forced him down to fourth place, dashing hopes of a podium finish. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton has yet to reach the top three since joining Ferrari, struggling to adapt to the SF-25 despite the rear suspension upgrade introduced at Spa. That upgrade, intended to enhance performance, has not produced the desired results and coincided with setbacks for Charles Leclerc in Hungary.
Diego Tondi Under Pressure After Costly Rear Suspension Upgrade
According to reports from RMC Motori, Ferrari’s rear suspension upgrade has become a focal point of criticism in Maranello, reportedly costing the team €1 million (£862,000) to develop. The Scuderia are reportedly placing responsibility on chassis technical director Diego Tondi, who is now facing increasing internal pressure. Sources suggest that Tondi, who has been with Ferrari since 2007 and assumed his current role in September 2024, has struggled to respond effectively, which has strained relationships within the technical team.
Two senior personnel reportedly left Ferrari during the summer break, reportedly due to tensions with Tondi. Front team group leader Ioannis Veloudis departed after 14 years to join Audi, while head of track engineering Matteo Togninalli, who joined Ferrari in 2008, also exited, with his next destination yet to be confirmed. These departures underscore the internal challenges facing the Scuderia as they try to remain competitive in a demanding F1 season.
Fred Vasseur Supports Tondi Amid Speculation Over Red Bull’s Enrico Balbo
Amid speculation that Ferrari were considering Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics Enrico Balbo as a replacement for Diego Tondi, team principal Fred Vasseur publicly backed the chassis technical director in June. Vasseur highlighted that such rumors could be unfair and disruptive, potentially affecting team focus during a critical phase of the season. He expressed concern about the impact on Diego Tondi, emphasizing that external speculation could serve as a distraction in an intensely competitive environment.
The French manager reportedly stated that he had to research Enrico Balbo himself due to never having met him before and suggested that any media reports linking him to Ferrari could have been “harsh” on Tondi. He underlined that maintaining focus on the team’s objectives is essential, noting that distractions from external speculation could hinder Ferrari’s performance and jeopardize their competitiveness against rivals.
As Ferrari aims to finish the 2025 season strongly, Diego Tondi’s role and the recent internal departures illustrate the delicate balance the Scuderia must maintain between technical innovation and team cohesion.
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