The 2025 Formula 1 season has become one of the toughest moments in Ferrari’s modern history: only five podiums so far — all of them earned by Charles Leclerc — and no real technical strengths to rely on. Lewis Hamilton is experiencing the most difficult season of his career, while the car has proven completely inadequate against improving rivals such as McLaren, Red Bull, and now even Mercedes. At Maranello, there is a growing sense that a strong reaction is urgently needed. Following the Singapore Grand Prix, the Formula 1 weekend will return from October 17 to 19.
A season where something is always missing
Something is always missing. That’s the story, told with slumped shoulders, of Ferrari’s 2025 campaign, which so far counts only five podiums — the worst year since the introduction of ground-effect cars. Every single one of those podiums came courtesy of Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver continues to give everything behind the wheel, but the limits of the SF-25 are undeniable.
Lewis Hamilton, who arrived in Maranello with huge expectations and dreams of restoring Ferrari’s glory, is facing the toughest period of his illustrious career. His winless streak has now reached 20 Grands Prix, an unprecedented record for the seven-time world champion. Beyond his adaptation difficulties to a completely new working environment, the real issue lies in a car that was born without any real strong point. Not even the introduction of a new rear suspension — a major technical update that was meant to transform the car — has managed to fix its core weaknesses or make it competitive against rivals that have continued to evolve and improve throughout the season.
McLaren and Red Bull have already pulled away, but now even Mercedes has joined the list of teams outperforming Ferrari, as Charles Leclerc himself pointed out with visible frustration. The numbers and on-track results confirm what everyone can see: Ferrari has fallen behind, losing the battle for pace, development, and consistency.
Leclerc: “We’re the fourth force now, there’s no way to put pressure on our rivals”
Charles Leclerc’s face has become the symbol of Ferrari’s season — a mix of talent, frustration, and resignation. “We are the fourth force now; there’s no way to put pressure on our rivals,” he admitted after yet another disappointing weekend. His words reflect not only the driver’s mood but also the reality of the situation at Maranello. The sense of surrender, however, cannot and should not define Ferrari’s identity.
This technical cycle was supposed to mark the beginning of Ferrari’s return to the top, but the results paint a completely different picture: only ten victories compared to McLaren’s eighteen and Red Bull’s staggering fifty-one. The numbers speak for themselves — Ferrari’s ambitious goals have turned into a season of regression instead of progress. The SF-25, expected to be a step forward, has instead highlighted the limits of Ferrari’s current structure and decision-making.
A time for reflection and decisive change
Now, on the eve of yet another significant turning point, the situation demands a serious and pragmatic internal discussion. The team needs to understand how to escape one of the darkest periods in its history. A proper face-to-face meeting between management and technical leadership is no longer optional — it’s essential. According to reports, both John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna are expected to visit Maranello to assess the crisis firsthand.
Beyond discussions, however, what Ferrari truly needs are ideas and firm decisions. The Scuderia must find a way to reset its trajectory, rediscover a clear technical direction, and rebuild confidence both inside and outside the team. Fans, drivers, and engineers all share the same question: can Ferrari still find the strength to reinvent itself, or has this cycle already reached its natural end?
The answer will define not only the rest of the season but also Ferrari’s future in the next era of Formula 1. Because in Maranello, resignation cannot be the final word — not for a team built on passion, pride, and an unending pursuit of victory.
