It has been just over three weeks since the end of the Formula 1 season, one of the darkest in Ferrari’s history. From the signing of Lewis Hamilton to his presentation party in Milan, intended to throw the British driver into the most challenging period of his illustrious career, the past season has left fans reflecting on a turbulent year.
In the last 20 days, the focus has largely been on the new power units from Mercedes and Red Bull, which appear to have exploited a gray area in compression ratios, giving themselves and their engine partners an extra edge over rivals. These claims remain to be confirmed, with pre-season testing in Barcelona less than a month away.
Amid festive meals and a general scarcity of news typical of the holiday season, any update on Ferrari naturally draws attention from its fans. This year, the spotlight fell on the man who spent a lifetime with Ferrari and was a key figure during the team’s golden era with Michael Schumacher: former President Luca Cordero di Montezemolo.
Montezemolo’s striking words, which resonated with Ferrari fans during the holiday period, were: “Bologna could win a Serie A title before Ferrari wins a World Championship.” Given the historical football rivalry between Modena, Ferrari’s hub, and Bologna (Montezemolo’s favored team), the comment was far from well-received by supporters of both Bologna and the Scuderia.
Sports achievements before Ferrari’s championship
We don’t need Bologna to win the league to illustrate Maranello’s struggles. In the 17 years since Ferrari’s last F1 title—the 2008 Constructors’ Championship—we’ve witnessed a range of sports achievements, both in Italy and abroad.
In Italy, notable achievements include Napoli’s two league titles, breaking the northern triad’s dominance after 23 years since Roma’s last championship. Bologna itself, referenced by Luca di Montezemolo, qualified for the Champions League in 2024 and went on to win the Coppa Italia in 2025.
Abroad, the Inter Milan team won the Champions League in 2010 after a 45-year wait, and Real Madrid claimed the coveted “decima” in 2014, sparking one of the most successful eras in European football. Even a team like Leicester, led by Claudio Ranieri, won the competitive English league in 2016.
If Ferrari is Italy’s “national motorsport team,” the football counterpart has not fared much better in the last 17 years since Maranello’s last victory. Italy failed to qualify for two consecutive World Cups, in 2018 and 2022, and faces a risk of missing the next one. The only consolation was the 2021 European Championship, won 53 years after the previous title. Beyond football, Marcell Jacobs’ gold medal in the 100 meters at the Tokyo Olympics remains a historic moment for Italian sport.
Luca di Montezemolo’s words highlight an undeniable fact
No one doubts the former President’s love for Ferrari. He is clearly pained seeing a team that dominated the early 2000s become the subject of memes and criticism due to its struggles. Ferrari deserves sharp critique, from management to drivers, but it also needs words of encouragement. Support and confidence are essential, even in a seemingly endless loop of disappointments.
President, rather than thinking about Bologna’s football success, focus on your lifelong passion for motorsport. Express confidence in the men in red who, we hope very soon, will restore the Scuderia to its former glory—the days of you, Jean Todt, Ross Brawn, and Michael Schumacher. Leave the criticism to the fans.
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