We all fooled ourselves. That, without much doubt, is the most accurate way to summarise Ferrari’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Despite the optimistic predictions going into the weekend and the positive signs from Friday’s free practice, the Scuderia once again failed to deliver a strong result on home soil. On Friday, the SF-25 gave the impression it might be competitive, appearing well-suited to the unique demands of Monza thanks to special set-up adjustments. The early balance raised hopes that Ferrari could at least fight for pole position and a podium finish. However, this trend collapsed on Saturday: from FP3 onwards, the red cars struggled, lacking pace over a single lap and unable to join the battle for pole. In qualifying, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could do no better than fourth and fifth, with sizeable gaps to McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Red Bull.
A difficult race followed on Sunday. The result, without sugar-coating it, was dictated by the lack of speed in the car. Despite running with a low-downforce package, the Ferrari simply could not match its rivals, neither in qualifying nor in race conditions. Victory was never in play, with Verstappen dominating all 53 laps with ease. Ferrari drivers were forced to wrestle with a nervous car, likely unsettled by the very low downforce levels, which created instability through the few but vital corners of the Autodromo. Tyre management was also a struggle. In the end, Charles Leclerc finished fourth, over 20 seconds behind Verstappen, while Hamilton came home sixth, more than 40 seconds adrift.
Given the expectations before the weekend, the outcome was disappointing. Yet, when judged against Ferrari’s actual performance level, a fourth and sixth place may well have been the maximum the team could realistically achieve. Leo Turrini, writing in his “Profondo Rosso” blog, reflected on the bitter reality while already casting an eye toward 2026, not before praising Max Verstappen’s stunning display.
“It’s better to immediately give Verstappen what belongs to Verstappen. At Monza, he won the fastest Grand Prix in history. It turns out that in 2025 McLaren are not unbeatable every weekend. Max proved that, hats off. As for the Lady in Red, the statistics hurt: zero victories, Lewis Hamilton never on the podium, Charles Leclerc in an emotional desert that cannot be sustained race after race. And to think, in qualifying, the team even considered slipstreaming—madness. Monza confirms what has been clear for some time: Ferrari must already bet on next year. Leclerc’s words after the race were a true manifesto of impotence, almost a declaration of surrender. How many times have we told ourselves that we’ll win next year? The time has come to finally repay the fans for their unwavering passion. P.S. I’ve been friends with Julio Velasco since 1985. Even back then, I told him it was a shame he didn’t know Formula 1. I haven’t changed my mind.”
