Ferrari falls short again: press headlines reflect mounting pressure after Suzuka performance. Three Races, Zero Podiums: Ferrari's Crisis Grows in Japanese GP Press Coverage.

Three GPs, No Podium
“I did everything perfectly and I’m fourth. I’m going to Bahrain with a completely different mindset compared to testing.” Charles Leclerc did not hide his disappointment at the end of the Japanese GP, which confirmed that even in the race, the McLarens “are on another planet,” to quote the Monegasque himself. Max Verstappen, thanks to his class, managed to beat them and is now just one point behind Lando Norris. Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, is already 42 points behind after three weekends in which Ferrari has not even reached the podium. Below are the observations reported by today’s newspapers about the SF-25, which so far has betrayed the hopes and declarations made before the season began.

“The SF-25 was born badly despite vaguely messianic expectations,” writes Leo Turrini in today’s edition of Il Resto del Carlino. “It was born badly, and it shows. It was already clear, and of course we can still cling to the thread of eternal hope, without kidding ourselves. Suzuka, a track that doesn’t lie, confirmed the disillusionment. It’s up to Fred Vasseur, who is experiencing the most difficult moment since his arrival in Maranello, to find solutions.”

“Eighteen points, a fourth and a seventh place: this is Ferrari’s best result in a season that began with the goal of winning everything. The dream team remained just a slogan, the magic is happening elsewhere,” reads Corriere della Sera’s piece titled Flop, written by Daniele Sparisci. “The GP in Suzuka exposed Ferrari’s problems. The doubts began during testing in Bahrain, grew in wet conditions in Melbourne, and became massive with the double disqualification in China — which had been preceded by the illusory Sprint win from Hamilton. In Japan, with no abnormal events, the real limitations emerged, shattering hopes that until less than two months ago were built on simulator results: the car is not at the level of either McLaren or Max Verstappen. A gap of three tenths per lap isn’t unbridgeable, but it’s worrying.”

“Charles Leclerc’s comment was disarming,” reads La Stampa following the Japanese Grand Prix, in an article by Italian journalist Jacopo d’Orsi. “No podium in three races, a start to forget apart from Hamilton’s victory in the Shanghai Sprint. Managing to place at least one SF-25 ahead of both Mercedes cars is a small consolation. The ride height remains a problem that must be solved as soon as possible.”