Ferrari chairman John Elkann remains in pursuit of his first major Formula 1 success since taking the helm of the legendary Italian manufacturer, as the team continues its long wait for championship silverware.
In recent years, Ferrari’s most realistic opportunity to reclaim a title has come through the Constructors’ Championship rather than the Drivers’. The Maranello-based squad has managed to finish inside the top three of the final standings in six of the past seven Formula 1 seasons. Their closest brush with success came in 2024, when they narrowly missed out on second place, finishing just 14 points behind McLaren. Analysts such as Karun Chandhok highlighted critical moments that cost Ferrari valuable points—most notably, an incident involving Carlos Sainz in Baku, where the Spaniard crashed during the final laps while battling Sergio Perez, throwing away crucial points in the standings.
Formula 1 journalist Will Buxton also pointed to a major strategic misstep early in the 2024 campaign. He recalled that Ferrari had introduced a significant upgrade package at the Spanish Grand Prix, which failed to deliver the expected performance gains. Instead, the team spent the rest of the European leg of the season trying to undo the damage caused by the unsuccessful update, losing momentum at a key stage of the championship.
John Elkann credits past Ferrari dominance to unity and collective strength within the team
During a recent interview at the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, John Elkann offered his perspective on Ferrari’s current position and what he believes is required for the team to return to winning ways. According to the chairman, Ferrari’s success in the past had always stemmed from the extraordinary ability of talented individuals to work together as a cohesive unit. He emphasised that victories were never the result of any single person’s contribution, but rather the collective effort of skilled engineers, mechanics, drivers, and team leaders operating in harmony.
John Elkann stated that Ferrari has always strived to win and remains committed to doing so, but underlined that victory would only return when the organisation could unify its talent and foster deep collaboration. He stressed the importance of what he called “the individuals” – not one standout figure, but a team of highly capable professionals working with synergy to achieve excellence on the track.
He recalled how Ferrari’s golden eras in Formula 1 were defined by a strong sense of shared purpose, where standout performances emerged from a deeply interconnected workforce. In his view, unlocking that same spirit of cooperation and mutual trust will be key to ending the team’s current title drought.
Fred Vasseur’s leadership seen as cornerstone of Ferrari’s future F1 ambitions
In a move aimed at reinforcing internal stability, Ferrari recently confirmed the extension of team principal Fred Vasseur’s contract. The Frenchman, who took over leadership duties in 2023, has signed a new multi-year deal expected to run until at least the end of the 2027 season.
This decision comes amid ongoing speculation about Fred Vasseur’s long-term future, and signals Ferrari’s intent to enter the next regulatory era in 2026 with consistent leadership at the helm. John Elkann explained that the relationship between Ferrari and the French manager had matured positively over the last two seasons, and that continuity was essential to long-term progress.
He added that the team has built a foundation of trust and effective collaboration under Fred Vasseur’s guidance, and now aims to build upon that momentum. Elkann described the working relationship with Fred Vasseur as one rooted in shared goals and mutual confidence, which had become increasingly evident across the team. He went on to suggest that such internal stability could have a profound impact on performance, noting that consistent leadership often translates directly into improved results on the track.
Ferrari’s ongoing commitment to Fred Vasseur reflects a broader strategic direction under Elkann’s stewardship—one that prioritises internal cohesion, long-term planning, and the belief that Formula 1 success is born not from individual brilliance alone, but from the strength of a united and well-led team.
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