Just one year ago, Ferrari stunned the Formula 1 world at the Circuit of the Americas. On paper, the Austin track wasn’t supposed to suit them: the demanding “Snake” section, with its sequence of high-speed corners that reward balance, precision, and stability, seemed like a nightmare for the SF-24. Yet the engineers, together with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, managed to find the perfect setup. They interpreted the circuit masterfully, unlocking a level of competitiveness that few had anticipated.
That victory was the ultimate proof that, with flawless management of their technical package, Ferrari could overcome even supposed design limitations. The team’s one-two finish reignited hope for a championship challenge, a dream that slipped away only in the final race as McLaren narrowly clinched the constructors’ crown. Today, McLaren have more than doubled Ferrari’s points, highlighting just how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1.
Twelve months later, everything looks dramatically different. Ferrari arrive in Texas in what can only be described as a state of technical and psychological crisis. The SF-25, designed to close the gap to the front, has become a car that seems to have reached the limits of its development. There is no room left for innovation and no time to correct its flaws. Every update introduced throughout the season has felt like a temporary patch over a deep structural problem. With the current regulations reaching their final stages, the team finds itself out of options.
Charles Leclerc, who delivered the shock result in Austin last year, now appears visibly frustrated. He knows that even his exceptional driving skills cannot mask the deeper weaknesses of the project. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, approaches the weekend with very different emotions. Austin is one of his favorite circuits, and the seven-time world champion is determined not to waste another chance to make an impact in red.
But between ambition and achievement stands the harsh reality. Ferrari’s SF-25 struggles to adapt to changing conditions, and with the sprint weekend format in place, the team will only have one practice session to fine-tune their setup. It’s an additional handicap for a team already struggling to find balance and consistency. Analysts warn that Austin’s characteristics could expose even more of the car’s limitations, making this one of the toughest weekends of the year for the Scuderia.
While Ferrari have stagnated, their rivals have surged ahead. McLaren have already sealed the constructors’ championship, confirming their extraordinary technical evolution. Red Bull, after a mid-season slump, have rediscovered their rhythm and confidence, while Mercedes have made remarkable progress in recent races, overtaking Ferrari in both race pace and strategic execution. Even more worrying for the team from Maranello is that Red Bull are now closing in on their third-place position in the standings and could soon push them off the podium entirely.
As a result, the United States Grand Prix risks becoming yet another weekend of frustration and melancholy for Ferrari fans. More than just another stop on the calendar, Austin seems destined to serve as a painful reminder of the technical and organizational gap that still separates Maranello from the sport’s elite. Team principal Fred Vasseur continues to speak about a long-term “restructuring process,” but there’s a growing fear that Ferrari are no longer in a period of transition — they may instead be trapped in a prolonged phase of decline and uncertainty.
One year ago, Ferrari had shown they could adapt, innovate, and deliver results against the odds. Today, they seem to have lost their direction entirely. The general feeling within the paddock is that the remaining six races of the season will be a slow and difficult journey — a sporting agony that leads only to the next technical era of 2026. Ferrari have gone all-in on the future, but the question remains: will that future finally bring redemption, or will it become yet another lost gamble for the Prancing Horse?
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