It may not be rosy in the Ferrari camp at present, with new signing Lewis Hamilton not getting off to the start both him and his team would have wished.
Tensions are high and while it was supposed to feel closer to the glory days of the Scuderia, it is starting to feel even further away. That’s certainly what the bookies think, anyway. Since the start of the season, Italian betting sites have naturally been interested in Ferrari since the start of the season, with the likes of Olympusbet, BetLabel and Supabet all offering odds on Hamilton.
But since the start of the season those have drifted significantly, with many moving Lewis Hamilton from around 5/1 at the beginning of the season to up to 400/1 today, while a first Constructors Championship since 2008 looks to be a pipe dream, with odds shifting to around 44/1.
It already feels like a season perhaps to forget, particularly with rumoured fallouts between Hamilton and engineer Ricardo Amani.
Hamilton has insisted there are no issues, however, stating: “Our relationship is great. No problems. We’re constantly learning more and more about each other, we’re constantly adapting to the way both of us like to work.”
That said, things clearly aren’t right too, but rather than adding further insult to injury we’re going to take a bit of a mid-season break to look back over the good times. And, of course, there are plenty in the famous Ferrari rosso corsa.
Five of Ferrari’s Greatest Moments in F1
From firsts to famous, the great Michael Schumacher to exceptional 1-2 finishes, the good times have been plentiful for the Italian giants, so here’s a little pick-me-up as F1 expert Kate Richardson looks back over the good times to put a smile on your face.
The top five Ferrari moments in Formula 1…
1. The First Grand Prix Victory – Silverstone 1951
You have to go back to 1951 for Ferrari’s first ever win in Formula 1, with Jose Froilan Gonzalez putting together a stunning drive to beat the might of Alfa Romeo. It proved not to be just a win, but a more significant moment, starting the Scuderia’s ascent to the very top of the sport.
It ended Alfa Romeo’s dominant run, with Enzo Ferrari actually describing it as bittersweet later in life, with Enzo himself having started his career in racing with Alfa Romeo. It was a moment that began the decline of the latter and turned Ferrari into a juggernaut, winning the 1952 and 1953 F1 Championship.
2. Michael Schumacher’s First Title with Ferrari – 2000 Japanese Grand Prix
Despite early success, by the 2000s Ferrari had been suffering with a severe Drivers’ Championship drought. Their last title had come in 1979 courtesy of Jody Scheckter, and following signing with Ferrari in 1996, Michael Schumacher finally put the taps back on and clinched the title at the 2000 Japanese Grand Prix.
It was the beginning of a real dynasty and Ferrari’s most successful era; a brilliant team led byJean Todt, Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne, and Paolo Martinelli.
They would win five consecutive Drivers’ Championships, with Schumacher himself perhaps summing up the team best in this quote: “I’ve always believed that you should never, ever give up and you should always keep fighting even when there’s only a slightest chance.”
Something which perhaps Schumacher himself is still living to to this day.
3. The Perfect Season – 2004 Dominance
In that final season of consecutive wins, many describe it as one of the most dominant campaigns in F1 history. Schumacher won 13 of the 18 races, with Ferrari adding two more to that thanks to team-mate Rubens Barrichello.
The F2004 chassis, combined with Bridgestone tyres, not to mention the great team behind the two drivers, meant that Ferrari were almost unbeatable. Schumacher had no issues wrapping up his seventh world title, and the entire season just proved what class acts both driver and constructor really were at this time.
4. Kimi Räikkönen’s Stunning Championship – 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix
Schumacher retired at the end of 2006 with Ferrari marking a new era with Kimi Räikkönen in the driver’s seat. And he was to defy expectations in his first season, securing the 2007 championship in a nail-biting finale at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He managed to overcome a seven-point deficit to beat both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to the title by just a single point!
It was victory from the jaws of defeat and marks the last time a Ferrari driver stood on the podium come the end of the season.
5. The 1-2 Finish at Monza – 2010 Italian Grand Prix
While this wasn’t a championship-deciding race, the 1-2 at Monza for Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa was something incredibly special. On home turf, it sent Ferrari fans into raptures and was a great example of Ferrari at its very best.
The scenes under the podium to this day remain some of the most iconic images in F1 and something the fans yearn for to this day.
Will the Good Times Return?
While things may not be going to plan as it stands, 2025 could be seen as more of a bedding in period for Hamilton, who is young enough to still secure another win for the Prancing Horse. He’s promised the good times will be back.
He recently said: “I’m working very hard to make sure that we get the results that you deserve and the team deserves and I won’t give up until I achieve that.”
That suggests there’s a confidence he can get things on the right track. But could the remainder of the season and into 2026 provide any more memorable moments? Only time will tell…
The article was provided by Kate Richardson
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