Ferrari: our perspective on a situation at risk of falling into contradiction
Once again, Baku highlighted Ferrari’s weaknesses in every area, revealing a contradiction that looms over the future of the Maranello team. The Italian side finished the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in eighth and ninth positions, a result reflecting the entire season’s struggles. Beyond the car’s underwhelming performance, what is worrying are the words of key figures and a continuing contradiction that seems endless.
Internal and external management raising doubts
Ferrari’s internal and external management has raised many doubts and uncertainties, as circulating rumors are not positive. The concern is not only for 2026, which might seem important, but represents just the tip of a much deeper iceberg. A crisis may have begun, potentially reaching a point of no return at Maranello.
Closing the SF-25 issue after Baku
Baku confirmed once again that the SF-25 is far from the car it was meant to be. The Maranello team’s weekends now follow a predictable pattern: strong Friday sessions, a failure to make the necessary Saturday improvements, and a futile Sunday attempt at recovery, as the car simply is not competitive. This pattern has persisted all season, except for rare exceptions such as Monaco and Hungary, which still ended poorly.
The SF-25 has proven to be overly sensitive to changing conditions, with unresolved issues related to ride heights and suspension. These are not minor flaws—they have made the car difficult to drive all season, with Lewis Hamilton partially affected. Ferrari attempted to turn things around with the evolved rear suspension, Loic Serra’s first work since joining the team, but it has yet to deliver. While Serra’s work cannot yet be judged, the failure to correct the car’s problems leaves little reason for optimism.
The 2025 project is a complete failure
In conclusion, the 2025 project has failed entirely. The SF-25 was supposed to be Ferrari’s championship-contending car. Its failure is not the fault of the press or media. Last season, Ferrari came close to winning the Constructors’ Championship, so claiming this year was a natural step. Unfortunately, that step was missed. The media is not to blame; the error lies within Maranello’s walls.
Vasseur and Ferrari’s external management
Given the above, there is no doubt about the reality of the situation. The team principal, however, continues to offer excuses despite the car’s evident inferiority, speaking of “potential” and execution without addressing the actual shortcomings. Unlike McLaren, Ferrari has not improved with new suspension updates, and in the last three races, it scored fewer points than Red Bull and Williams. What is most concerning is the refusal to admit the 2025 mistakes, which are obvious to everyone.
Every race weekend has been a disappointment, and Fred Vasseur’s empty statements frustrate fans, creating detachment and indifference. Supporters feel betrayed by those who should be striving to win, something that seems foreign given almost twenty years without titles. Even after Barcelona last year’s failed updates, Ferrari eventually recovered, while this year the team seems to slide further into a tragicomic situation. Renewing Fred Vasseur was reasonable, but questions remain for next year.
Vasseur’s internal management
Internal management is harder to assess, as we cannot know exactly what happens behind Maranello walls. However, credible sources (Autoracer) suggest an environment lacking balance, resembling a “wild west” in operations. Track results may reflect this. Ferrari currently lacks the foundations to grow, and expectations for 2026 should be tempered. Regulatory changes could provide a major opportunity, but reversing nearly twenty years of decline seems unlikely without real structural change. The crisis also affects the technical department. Fred Vasseur promised the hiring of top engineers, but only Serra has arrived so far, and it is too early to judge him.
Elkann, Ferrari leadership, and ongoing contradictions
The interest of President John Elkann in Ferrari appears minimal. Responsibility has been delegated, mainly to CEO Vigna, who focuses on other priorities rather than F1. This raises the question: who truly manages the sporting operations created by Enzo Ferrari? Fred Vasseur? Not fully, as his authority has been limited from above. This creates a continuous contradiction with no resolution.
Until clarity and a unified objective emerge, Ferrari will continue in a void. Saying you want to win is easy, but without the means, it is empty talk. The team is in a state of stagnation, and winning in 2026 would be a near-miracle, though we hope to be proven wrong. If things go badly, Fred Vasseur’s role may be replaced, but unless the leadership commits fully to winning, the cycle of contradiction will persist indefinitely.
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