The ongoing struggles at Scuderia Ferrari continue to spark debate, with mounting speculation surrounding the uncertain future of Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. Despite a positive result at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix—where Charles Leclerc secured a podium finish—the underlying issues within the Maranello-based team remain unresolved.
What adds to the sense of instability is the fact that Frédéric Vasseur, who was notably absent on race day in Spielberg, has yet to renew his contract with Ferrari. As things stand, there appear to be no active negotiations underway for an extension, and that silence is fueling concerns about the team’s long-term direction and leadership.
The real issues at Ferrari are off the track
But what exactly is causing the problems that are preventing Ferrari from closing the performance gap to rivals like McLaren and Red Bull Racing? Veteran Formula 1 journalists Giorgio Terruzzi and Pino Allievi, both of whom have followed the sport for decades, attempted to shed light on the deeper issues afflicting the Italian team.
Speaking during the podcast ‘Terruzzi racconta’, they offered a candid and sobering analysis: “The issue is that this car and this team are still capable of achieving podium finishes, but they’re clearly not in a position to win. The performance gap to McLaren remains huge—far too large. And what’s more troubling is the heavy internal turbulence we’re seeing. We can tell by observing body language, statements, and overall behavior within the team,” they explained.
Giorgio Terruzzi and Pino Allievi pointedly addressed the absence of Fred Vasseur in Austria, without making direct accusations: “We’re not making any allegations regarding Vasseur’s notable absence in Spielberg, but it’s hard not to read into it. Ferrari often directs its frustration toward those who report on the team, but the truth is, the problem lies within the organization itself. There are situations—sometimes even long silences—that suggest a serious internal crisis. The atmosphere feels objectively heavy.”
Fred Vasseur’s challenge in understanding Ferrari’s culture
On the subject of Frédéric Vasseur himself, the two journalists offered a mixed perspective. “Would I fire Vasseur? Personally, no. Replacing him yet again would be disastrous. But it’s clear that he still hasn’t understood either Italy or Ferrari,” they continued.
They pointed out that while legendary Team Principal Jean Todt also faced a difficult start, he had a strong support structure and could rely on consistent performance from Michael Schumacher, who was at least finishing second during Ferrari’s rebuilding phase. “Vasseur hasn’t built anything yet. Perhaps he’s operating alone. Ferrari is unique—it carries the weight of tradition and history. It’s a world apart, and Fred Vasseur still doesn’t seem to grasp the universe he’s been thrown into.”
Lack of leadership from above
Another point of concern raised by Giorgio Terruzzi and Pino Allievi was the lack of clear communication from Ferrari’s upper management. “There’s no clarity from the top. Why do John Elkann and Benedetto Vigna never speak publicly? Nobody is providing reassurance, and no one is stepping up to take a firm stance,” they questioned.
According to them, the team’s communication strategy is too binary—either complete silence or blind defense. “It doesn’t always have to be either full commitment or total exit. You can course-correct while staying the course. But right now, it’s either silence or endless justification. It’s the ‘savior complex’—the idea that someone will arrive and fix everything. But that’s not how things work in Formula 1. This sport is far too complex for quick fixes.”
In summary, Ferrari’s problems extend far beyond on-track performance or individual decision-making. The team appears to be grappling with a deep-rooted structural and cultural crisis that cannot be resolved with a single leadership change. Whether Fred Vasseur remains at the helm or not, Ferrari’s path forward will require unity, clarity, and a long-term vision—qualities that currently seem to be in short supply.
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