Ferrari between sporting success and social criticism
According to Formula Medicine mental coach Riccardo Ceccarelli, the Prancing Horse brand is unassailable for what it represents both in motorsport and in the automotive world. Social media attacks do not reflect the true reality of a brand with extremely solid foundations. It is therefore right to approach the new Formula 1 season with great caution, because facts are needed, not words.
There seems to be a two-faced Ferrari. On one side there is the dominant force in the World Endurance Championship, celebrated by fans along the streets of Maranello and Fiorano for a well-deserved crowd celebration (and fortunately not a water bath). On the other side, there is a Scuderia that disappoints in Formula 1 and becomes the target of mockery on social media, with irreverent memes that are satirical but often harsh.
The impression one might get by following the virtual world is that there is an ongoing phase of “chipping away” at the Scuderia, which probably goes beyond its actual shortcomings, even though the responsibility for the lack of results is clear for everyone to see.
The strength of the Ferrari brand according to Riccardo Ceccarelli
What we wanted to ask Dr. Riccardo Ceccarelli is which Ferrari is the real one, and how much we should allow ourselves to be influenced by the impact of social media. How should we reconcile these two worlds within the same company?
“The brand is the same. From this reflection, which is interesting, two or three key points emerge. First of all, the Ferrari brand is immune to its results, because it is such a strong, consolidated, and globally widespread brand that fluctuations in results only lead to small changes in perception at a worldwide level.”
“The legend comes from a myth like Enzo Ferrari, who has always been present in every Formula 1 championship. McLaren has won world championships and has its own history derived from Bruce McLaren, the founder who raced and won a world title, but when McLaren wins a championship, its strength is perceived less. Ferrari’s roots, which are unique and cannot be compared to any other, are extremely deep.”
“That is why it is normal that when Ferrari returns to winning in the WEC, a high-level world championship with many manufacturers investing heavily, a great deal of interest is created, which further fuels the power of the brand. I believe it is an indestructible brand, one we should be proud of regardless of sporting performance.”
Social media criticism and its real value
“Having said that, there is a second aspect to consider. There is a social media component made up of people who do not want to read, but want to put others in the pillory, mock them, even desacralize them. These are people who gravitate to where there is the most audience, not out of competence, but purely to gain visibility. Today it can be Ferrari, tomorrow it could be Sinner, and the day after tomorrow it could be anyone who is successful.”
Are we giving social media too much importance?
“There is a social media component that has very little value, because it does not stem from competence, but from feeling important by speaking badly about or denigrating someone. I am not surprised by the criticism directed at Ferrari: everyone expected more this year, but criticism should be based on facts and well-structured.”
“When I worked for Ferrari in 1992, there were about twenty Italian journalists following motorsport, and they were the ones who influenced opinions with their articles. They could be more or less critical depending on the results of the red car, but they were professionals who wrote with experience and competence.”
“Today, journalistic criticism is a minority compared to the visibility of the masses on social media. What I always tell the athletes I work with is not to be influenced by this component. Clearly, the reach of social media has expanded enormously and has become an important factor that can move sympathies and antipathies.”
Criticism, followers, and profit
“There is no doubt about it: some people have made a profession out of speaking badly about others. Criticism makes more news and generates attention, followers, and therefore income, to the point of becoming a job. However, it is important to maintain independent thinking and not be influenced by social media reach.”
“Ferrari has a great advantage because it has antibodies that protect it. Speaking badly about the Scuderia is like trying to tear down a mountain with a small hammer. You can chip it, but you cannot destroy it.”
From 2025 ambitions to focus on the 2026 regulations
At the start of 2025, Ferrari openly aimed for both world championships, and the arrival of Lewis Hamilton ignited huge title expectations. That was followed by disappointment and a fourth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship.
Recently, Fred Vasseur’s Christmas dinner with journalists revealed a very different atmosphere, with clear caution in defining objectives. The Frenchman adopted a defensive approach, even though President John Elkann’s long-standing expectation remains to win the 2026 World Championship following the regulation changes.
“Lewis Hamilton’s arrival was extremely mediatic, and it was necessary to build an entire story and media narrative around it, a bit like when Juventus signed Cristiano Ronaldo. The Hamilton–Leclerc pairing was attractive, with Ferrari having ended the previous season on an upward trend. For 2025, ambitions were concrete, and perhaps they went too far.”
A necessary change of approach
“Hamilton has delivered more disappointments than satisfactions, and Ferrari did not achieve what it wanted: zero victories, while Red Bull fought until the end with Max Verstappen and Mercedes won a couple of races. It is right to restart with a lower profile: there is no media effect to promote for next year.”
“At this moment, I believe there is a greater need to focus on the new car rather than on pointless celebrations. The team needs to work with its head down to present itself with a competitive car for the 2026 championship, which brings many unknowns due to the epochal change in the regulations.”
In conclusion, while the noise of digital platforms often paints a picture of a brand in crisis, the structural and historical foundations of Ferrari remain as solid as ever. The shift toward a more cautious and pragmatic approach in Maranello suggests a team that has learned from its recent communicative overreaches and is now prioritizing technical substance over media narratives as it prepares for the high-stakes regulatory reset of 2026.
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