The atmosphere at Scuderia Ferrari has become increasingly tense following the most recent Formula 1 Grand Prix held at the Hungaroring. Once again, the performance of the Maranello-based team left much to be desired, and what is perhaps more concerning is the lack of alignment between the statements made by the drivers and those of team principal Frédéric Vasseur. This discrepancy raises a fundamental question: what exactly is happening behind the scenes at Ferrari?
The Hungarian Grand Prix—Round 14 of the 2025 Formula 1 season—has generated a wave of questions and doubts regarding the internal management and team dynamics within Ferrari. After securing a sensational pole position in qualifying, Charles Leclerc crossed the finish line in fourth place, visibly struggling with a car that no longer seemed competitive during the race. For his teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the race turned out to be equally forgettable, as he was lapped and finished well outside the points.
What caused Charles Leclerc to drop out of podium contention remains unclear, especially because the explanations provided to the media by Frédéric Vasseur and the Monegasque driver do not align. This inconsistency has fueled speculation and added to the unease surrounding Ferrari’s current situation.
Italian motorsport journalists Giorgio Terruzzi, Pino Allievi, and Stefano Nicoli addressed the situation in the latest episode of their podcast Terruzzi Racconta. They highlighted several overlooked details from the race weekend in Budapest, which may reflect the underlying mood within the Scuderia.
Concerns growing within Ferrari’s ranks?
Just before the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Ferrari announced the contract renewal of team principal Frédéric Vasseur—a figure whose leadership had already been the subject of internal and external questioning over the previous months. However, according to veteran journalist Pino Allievi, the outcome of the Hungarian race could have easily sparked new doubts regarding Fred Vasseur’s role and long-term future at the helm of the team.
“In the last race, the seven-time world champion who had been brought in as a reference point for Ferrari was lapped,” said Allievi. “That alone could be enough to call Vasseur’s management into question. Lewis Hamilton himself sent a report to the team suggesting that the entire internal structure of Ferrari needs to be reorganized.”
Beyond the high-profile media comments made by Lewis Hamilton following Saturday’s qualifying session, Giorgio Terruzzi pointed out two additional moments from the weekend that went largely unnoticed but could be very telling of what is happening inside the team. He asked a key question: has something shifted within the Scuderia?
“There are two phrases worth remembering,” Terruzzi explained. “They’re not as loud or explosive, but they are still interesting. After being eliminated in Q2, Hamilton said—while being brought back to the garage—‘Always the same, always the same.’ It’s unclear whether he was referring to himself, to the car, or to recurring problems that keep affecting his driving.”
Terruzzi also highlighted the visible tension between Charles Leclerc and his race engineer throughout the Hungarian Grand Prix. “Leclerc was arguing with his team during the whole race,” he noted. “He kept saying: ‘You have to listen to me.’ As if to say: ‘Why won’t you listen? You must listen to me.’ His frustration and bitterness are understandable—especially considering how hard Leclerc has been pushing this year. He is truly performing at a high level in 2025.”
The journalist went on to reference another cryptic observation made by Lewis Hamilton, who stated that “a lot is going on in the background.” That comment, Terruzzi suggested, may point to unresolved internal matters that could affect the team’s performance and harmony going forward.
He concluded the podcast with a plea for clarity and transparency from Ferrari: “Either be more honest and open about what’s happening, or don’t say anything at all. Because otherwise, these shadows and doubts will keep swirling around the team’s mood—and in my view, they’re becoming quite unsettling. A bit dark, even.”
