The fairy tale of Ferrari in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship has come to an end. The hope that the FIA might shake things up and hand them another chance sadly faded at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona. It was a belief nurtured by the team principal of the Italian side, but few truly believed in it. The Prancing Horse returns to Maranello without enthusiasm, carrying a verdict that feels close to definitive defeat.
TD018 Directive: the blow has been delivered
The flexibility of the wings was supposed to shuffle the deck. Frederic Vasseur fed us this tedious narrative in every way possible. Expectations were sky-high for a change that ultimately changed nothing. The curious thing is this: no one, when speaking of other teams, was convinced that Technical Directive TD018 would shift the balance. Only Ferrari believed it—or perhaps wanted us to believe it.
At this stage of the 2025 Formula 1 season, some things must be said. Yes, it is true, there are still 15 races left, which is practically a full championship by the time Michael Schumacher used to win with Ferrari. But today’s Formula 1 is a different story. Compared to back then, overturning the hierarchy is impossible. Miraculous comebacks are not out of the question, as McLaren has proven that last season. Still, thinking Ferrari could pull off a miracle this year is pure fantasy.
To set such a scenario in motion requires many things Maranello’s team simply does not have. Fans are growing tired of hearing fine words that end up being empty. Not to mention that the wing flexibility changes, in the minds of the Maranello engineers and technicians, were supposed to offer an advantage due to expected issues McLaren would face with the new aeroelasticity parameters.
Last weekend’s podium is one that hides the problems. The old man inside us—the one who starts spilling the truth after three glasses of wine at the bar—feels like venting. But maybe it is not worth it. Better to focus on what could happen in the coming weeks. The real picture of the Spanish Grand Prix cannot be Charles Leclerc’s podium.
Charles Leclerc once again showed his great skills: the ability to tame a difficult, limiting car. Of course, the Safety Car played a big role, as did Red Bull’s self-sabotage. But the Monegasque driver was there, ready to give everything and seize the opportunity. The focus, however, should be on Lewis Hamilton’s performance and overall mood, which is much more telling.
On Thursday, the British driver looked quite dejected. The reason is simple: he had been promised a competitive car, ready to fight for the title. Instead, he is drifting in a sea of problems, unable to trust a car that refuses to respond. The SF-25 single-seater needs a major overhaul to dream of victories. Lewis Hamilton made that clear at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona.
That necessary foresight
The Brit has already suggested focusing on the 2026 Formula 1 project, even if in Spain, in front of the microphones, he said he would do so after two more races. The issue is clear: McLaren is, and will remain, out of reach for the entire championship. They have their finger on the trigger, ready to fire updates that are sure to work. As stated, it is very hard to imagine a scenario where Ferrari can suddenly close the gap and become dominant.
For this reason, considering the nature of the current Formula 1 season, it would be wiser to redirect most of the energy toward the new regulatory era. Ground effect will be gone, flat floors will return, cars will be narrower, active aerodynamics will be introduced, new tyres will debut, and power units will be deeply revised. A tough challenge that people like Adrian Newey, backed by his loyal technical team, are already fully working on.
This is not pessimism, it is a reality check. Realism. Because Ferrari won’t win anything in 2025, and maybe, focusing entirely on next year and increasing the odds of success through greater workforce investment isn’t such a wild idea, even with 15 races still on the calendar. In Barcelona, we managed to gather some interesting insights.
Between the British and Belgian Grands Prix, there will be many meetings for the historic Italian team. These are necessary to make a clear decision on the future by the end of July. Meanwhile, updates are coming: floor, bodywork, and some mechanical elements. It is right for Ferrari to try to improve, but stubbornly clinging to a project that will never meet the pre-season goals is far less justifiable.
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