The legendary Scuderia Ferrari seems to be standing on the edge of an internal implosion, with growing unrest inside Maranello showing no signs of easing. Could the solution be to completely “turn the Racing Division upside down”? The Prancing Horse is currently enduring one of the most turbulent periods in its modern history—not only from a technical standpoint but also from an organizational perspective. The upcoming months are expected to be crucial, as Ferrari prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 regulation changes, yet internal tensions within the Racing Division suggest that only drastic restructuring could offer a way forward.
After the Singapore Grand Prix, criticism once again erupted against the team. The Italian media launched attacks over the disappointing recent performances, and questions have emerged about the leadership of Frédéric Vasseur. The French team principal has placed his trust in Loïc Serra as technical director, but Serra’s controversial decision to halt aerodynamic development and focus on introducing an evolved rear suspension has failed to deliver tangible results. Meanwhile, it appears that even Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are not entirely on good terms with the Maranello engineers, as both drivers have been openly critical of several aspects of the car’s behavior and team operations. Let’s take a closer look at the details and potential changes that may be coming to Ferrari’s technical management structure.
Duchessa: “Is Vasseur capable of making real changes?”
According to journalist Giuliano Duchessa, the main problem is not only the SF-25’s design limitations but also Ferrari’s inability to properly develop it throughout the season. Another critical area of concern remains the management of on-track operations, including car setup and race strategy. As the Italian journalist explains, “when the car is lacking, everything becomes complicated, and even the most positive aspects are overshadowed.” The car, he said, “was born with design flaws, and several subsequent decisions have only created further complications—such as excessive brake temperature management.”
The Lift and Coast technique has become the team’s only partial solution to what appears to be a persistent and unsolved problem, despite attempts to evolve various components of the braking system. With Lewis Hamilton reportedly challenging the engineers on every technical subject and Charles Leclerc highlighting all areas that need improvement, it seems Fred Vasseur has started to change his tone when communicating both internally and publicly.
Giuliano Duchessa added more context in his comments for AutoRacer: “This Thursday in Maranello there will be the Capital Markets Day, with John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna both attending. Officially, it’s not an event directly linked to the Racing Division, but it’s interesting to see what happens behind the scenes. Perhaps Fred Vasseur has already started to change his post-race communication. You could, in theory, turn the Racing Division upside down, but I don’t think it would work. I also don’t believe extraordinary meetings are the great solution—at least none seem planned right now. The best approach would be to make firm decisions quietly, away from the spotlight, but still to decide.”
He went on to question whether Vasseur is truly in a position to implement meaningful and lasting reforms: “Since the drivers are on his side—and by now Fred Vasseur has understood how things really are—the real question is whether he can make real changes that would be considered historic. The team would need to hire one or two top-level technical figures, and I believe work is already being done in that direction. It would be productive to reach that point without the need for constant approval or having to overcome too many internal obstacles. Otherwise, it would mean that someone within the organization is redundant.”
At this stage, it’s difficult to predict what will happen in the coming months, but one thing is clear: Ferrari cannot continue like this. If Frédéric Vasseur truly is the right man to lead the Scuderia, then he must start reshaping the team from within. Otherwise, Ferrari’s upper management will soon have to take a firm stance and decide on the future of the world’s most beloved and iconic Formula 1 team.
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