Ferrari has been treading water in Formula 1 for a very long time, seemingly struggling to find the consistent pace and performance required to challenge for both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships. Charles Leclerc has been trapped in this golden cage of high expectations, political complexity, and internal pressures for seven full seasons now. Throughout this entire period, the Monegasque driver has always given his absolute best for the cause of the Prancing Horse, enduring circumstances that would test the patience and resolve of even the most saintly of individuals. He has faced technical setbacks, strategic errors, and sometimes simply a lack of competitiveness from the cars, yet he has consistently remained committed and professional. Now, however, it seems that some individuals within the team might have actually taken offense at his words, which, by any reasonable standard, were entirely justified, honest, and reflective of reality. If this situation is indeed true, it would perfectly highlight the character—or lack thereof—of certain individuals who apparently cannot handle being confronted with the truth, no matter how reasonable it may be.
A “non-presidency” that explains everything
Looking beyond the fact that nobody outside the immediate team was present at the internal meeting held, as has been customary, in Maranello after each Formula 1 Grand Prix, and leaving aside whether harsh words, heated exchanges, or even insults were directed toward each other, one thing remains clear to anyone paying attention: rather than delivering long, grandiose speeches that, since the very beginning of the season, have produced absolutely nothing of tangible value, it would be infinitely more productive to begin compiling concrete facts, analyzing data, and making actionable decisions that actually improve the team’s performance.
This message is directed squarely at Ferrari’s senior management, particularly to John Elkann, the grandson of Gianni Agnelli and the current president of the Scuderia. Since assuming the presidency of Ferrari, John Elkann has consistently demonstrated that as long as the company’s financial accounts balance and profit margins remain healthy, everything appears to be perfectly fine. If, on the other hand, the racing department underperforms, fails to challenge for victories, and suffers embarrassing results season after season, well, apparently that is of little consequence. The flow of money continues regardless, and Ferrari’s road cars continue to sell in massive numbers, often setting sales records and maintaining the brand’s prestige in the consumer market.
So, what can fans and stakeholders genuinely expect from a president who has consistently demonstrated this kind of hands-off approach to the sporting side of the company? This is the fundamental issue that lies at the heart of Ferrari’s ongoing struggles in Formula 1. What is truly required is a manager with real courage, decisiveness, and vision—a person with the kind of “ironclad” determination that only the very best executives in motorsport possess. Someone like Toto Wolff or Christian Horner, who, by the way, is currently available and could hypothetically consider a move if the situation arose. The type of manager Ferrari needs is someone capable of constructing the sporting management from the ground up, someone willing to redefine the team’s entire approach to Formula 1. At the moment, Ferrari’s approach seems to mirror some of the broader inefficiencies that have historically plagued Italian institutions: highly talented and resource-rich yet often mismanaged and unable to translate potential into consistent results.
Italy is a nation blessed with monumental cultural, financial, and human resources, yet historically, it has often been outperformed, outmaneuvered, or simply mocked by other countries in multiple arenas, including motorsport, due to a variety of systemic factors. While now is not the place to delve into the broader reasons behind these national tendencies, it is worth noting that Ferrari, as one of the most iconic symbols of Italian engineering and excellence, cannot afford to operate with such inefficiency. Returning specifically to the issue at hand, Ferrari clearly needs a significant shake-up, a decisive intervention, and a fundamental realignment of its priorities. Such a transformative scenario can only be brought to life through deliberate, courageous, and strategic actions. While it is not for us to dictate the exact course of action that should be taken, it is obvious to anyone following the situation that some meaningful change must occur, and it must occur soon.
A touchy Ferrari, that’s just what we needed
What is most frustrating, however, is a detail reported by the Italian sports daily, Corriere dello Sport. The article, written by Fulvio Solms, recounts how the heated discussion between team principal Frederic Vasseur and Metteo Togninalli, a key Ferrari technical figure, reportedly echoed across the valleys surrounding Maranello. The intensity of the conversation reportedly made a lasting impression on the local community and Ferrari staff alike. Additionally, and most importantly, the article highlights that several Ferrari engineers and technical personnel were reportedly displeased by the criticism directed at the SF-25 by Charles Leclerc. In particular, Charles Leclerc’s comments labeled aspects of the car described as being of poor quality. The criticism, while blunt, was arguably fair, reflecting the frustration of a driver who pours his heart and soul into every race yet is consistently constrained by the limitations of his machinery.
The article also notes that Charles Leclerc is reportedly increasingly frustrated and may be ready to consider moving on if the 2026 car does not meet the necessary competitive standards. This could potentially mean stepping away from a relationship that has been historically important to him, yet has increasingly begun to resemble a form of emotional dependence. For many observers, this ongoing situation between Charles Leclerc and Ferrari could be seen as a kind of toxic relationship—an arrangement in which, regardless of effort or emotion, the outcome is almost always disappointment, frustration, and suffering rather than fulfillment or success.
Now, let us consider the question that arises naturally from this scenario: setting aside the competitive potential of the car that Ferrari is currently developing for the next set of regulations, should anyone within the factory truly feel offended, insulted, or angry at the words of Charles Leclerc? This is a driver who literally puts his heart and soul into every single Grand Prix weekend. Apart from a few brief periods of genuine satisfaction when the car allowed him to challenge for podiums or victories, he has mostly been forced to drive cars that were consistently below the level of competitiveness required to achieve success. Does a driver of this caliber truly deserve to be met with indignation or resentment for speaking honestly about his frustrations and the shortcomings of the SF-25? The answer, to any rational observer, is clearly no.
Leave Charles Leclerc alone, for as long as it lasts…
We are discussing a driver who, despite an almost endless stream of unfulfilled promises from the team, a multitude of technical errors, and strategic misjudgments that have negatively affected him in both qualifying sessions and races, has always placed Ferrari ahead of his own personal interests. And if, on one occasion, he finally reaches the limit of his patience and bluntly expresses his frustration with the team, should anyone really get upset? Would it not be far more appropriate for those within Ferrari to look into the mirror and reflect seriously on why, after seven full seasons, they have not yet managed to build a car capable of consistently winning races and challenging for championships?
This question is at the heart of what any loyal Ferrari fan, or indeed any follower of Formula 1, wants to know: why has the Scuderia, with all of its financial resources, technical talent, and historical prestige, been unable to provide Charles Leclerc with the tools he needs to succeed? Charles has given absolutely everything to Ferrari—his skill, his passion, his commitment, and his resilience—yet the team has repeatedly fallen short in returning the same level of support and competitiveness. It is precisely for this reason, regardless of personal opinions about the character, temperament, or specific abilities of the driver, that Charles Leclerc deserves enormous respect. Respect for the unwavering dedication, the mental and physical sacrifices, and the relentless effort he has consistently invested in pushing Ferrari toward higher levels of performance.
The rest, as always, is simply chatter, noise, and unnecessary drama that does nothing to advance the team’s goals or improve the car. Fans, commentators, and insiders alike should recognize the reality of the situation: Charles Leclerc has done everything that Ferrari has failed to deliver. He has carried the team’s hopes on his shoulders, often in circumstances where victory or even competitive performance seemed almost impossible. To criticize him for finally expressing frustration is not only unfair, but it also undermines the tremendous professional integrity and commitment he has shown over the past seven seasons. In a sport where the margin between success and failure is often measured in thousandths of a second, the contributions of a driver like Charles Leclerc cannot be overstated.
In conclusion, Ferrari faces a crossroads. The team must recognize the unmatched talent, dedication, and determination of Charles Leclerc, while simultaneously acknowledging its own systemic failures and the urgent need for decisive leadership and reform. The path forward will require courage, accountability, and a willingness to challenge the status quo. Only by embracing these principles can Ferrari hope to restore its competitiveness and honor the commitment of one of the most gifted drivers of his generation. Until then, Charles Leclerc deserves to be left alone, allowed to race with the same passion and intensity he has shown throughout his career, and respected for the immense personal and professional sacrifices he has made in the pursuit of excellence for the Prancing Horse.
Leave a Reply