The Baku weekend has left a bitter taste for Ferrari, and for those of us who support the team unconditionally despite the harsh reality of results and performances. Leaving Azerbaijan with just an eighth and a ninth place finish is unacceptable, especially after a race where the red car was barely visible. This came on the heels of Friday’s illusion, when Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc seemed to surge ahead of the competition.
Fred Vasseur made a statement that sounded either incomprehensible or simply unrealistic: “If I look at Friday, I am convinced we have a winning team.” Unfortunately, races are decided on Sundays, based on events that unfold throughout the weekend, particularly on Saturday. And Saturday for Ferrari, especially after what happened at Monza the previous week, has consistently been a nightmare.
It is true that driver errors can play a role, with Charles Leclerc being more sensitive to risk due to his aggressive approach compared to Hamilton. Yet, the core issue lies with the car itself. The SF-25 has been problematic since the start of the season, initially hampered by a dual disqualification related to the floor making the car illegal in ride height, then relying on a supposedly miraculous rear suspension that quickly disappeared from relevance. Now, the team is once again at the mercy of the narrow performance window in which the tires operate optimally—a recurring challenge dating back years.
Fred Vasseur’s defense of his team and chosen staff is almost endearing. He even highlights that 60 new members have been hired over the past 18 months. However, so far, their impact on lap times has been negligible.
To move beyond empty excuses and finger-pointing, a proper assessment with Ferrari president John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna might be necessary. A candid discussion could help reset the team’s direction, possibly including adjustments in the organizational structure and team placement. Without such changes, even the immense advantage of having two world-class drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc—both demoralized and carrying a long list of frustrations—fails to deliver expected results.
While Ferrari struggles with uncertainty and lacks a clear path forward, Red Bull, despite also facing challenges such as key personnel leaving and managing Christian Horner’s leadership, has found the right approach to regain competitive strength. They provided Max Verstappen, their undisputed number one driver, with a significantly improved car capable of outpacing the otherwise dominant McLaren in consecutive races. Both at Monza and Baku, Verstappen dictated the pace and delivered as he wished. The 69-point gap to Oscar Piastri, however, remains a monumental challenge, but Verstappen will undoubtedly continue to push.
Speaking of Oscar Piastri, his two major mistakes over two days brought him back down to earth, while Lando Norris, cautious and hesitant, failed to capitalize on the opportunities, reinforcing his reputation as a driver who is unbeatable when leading but struggles when in pursuit.
There were, however, noteworthy performances in Baku. Carlos Sainz, now fondly remembered by Ferrari fans, George Russell—who some see as a potential future Ferrari driver—and Matteo Antonelli, who needed a spark, all showed their best on a challenging and deceptive circuit.
For the championship standings, not much changed. However, if Max Verstappen dominates again at Singapore in two weeks, the entire F1 audience could experience a surge of excitement, anxiety, and anticipation, offering a compelling spectacle regardless of Ferrari’s continued struggles.
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