Ferrari’s Struggles Continue as Nico Rosberg Reveals Talks of UK Base to Support Lewis Hamilton
Scuderia Ferrari unfortunately appear to be caught in a frustrating pattern: every time they edge close to ending their long-standing championship drought, a sudden downturn derails their progress. The Scuderia last claimed a Formula 1 title in 2008, when they secured the constructors’ crown while Lewis Hamilton narrowly clinched the drivers’ championship for McLaren. Since then, their near-misses have been numerous—and painful.
In 2010, Fernando Alonso arrived at the final round in Abu Dhabi as the title favourite, only to be outmanoeuvred by Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his first championship. A year later, Ferrari managed just one victory, and although they again challenged Vettel in the dramatic 2012 finale, they were left well behind in 2013, trailing Red Bull by nearly 250 points.
This recurring cycle has become a hallmark of the post-title Ferrari era. Vettel, having moved to Ferrari, reignited hope in 2017 and 2018 with a serious challenge to Mercedes and Hamilton, but the momentum quickly dissipated. The same pattern emerged again under current team boss Fred Vasseur. In 2024, Ferrari came within 14 points of toppling McLaren, reigniting belief within Maranello. However, just 10 races into the 2025 season, they now trail their rivals by a staggering 191 points in the constructors’ standings.
Nico Rosberg Believes Ferrari May Establish a UK-Based F1 Facility
Despite numerous close calls over the past 17 years, Ferrari’s shortcomings cannot be solely attributed to bad luck. The team has cycled through multiple principals and leadership styles, casting doubt on whether another management change—such as replacing Fred Vasseur—would genuinely address the underlying issues.
Instead, former world champion Nico Rosberg believes that a structural transformation may be required. According to Rosberg, Ferrari are considering establishing a UK-based engineering and operations hub—a bold step that could align them more closely with the F1 industry’s central infrastructure. The United Kingdom remains the beating heart of Formula 1, home to seven of the ten teams and the majority of the sport’s technical talent.
Nico Rosberg explained during an appearance on The F1 Show that his insight into Ferrari’s inner workings revealed noticeable gaps in efficiency and culture compared to leading British teams. He claimed that Ferrari’s structure, deeply rooted in Italy, created challenges that British-based operations did not face. He noted that decision-making at teams like Mercedes—where communication between Toto Wolff and Hamilton was swift and direct—stood in stark contrast to the more layered and slower processes at Ferrari.
Nico Rosberg further suggested that even Lewis Hamilton has found it difficult to navigate Ferrari’s internal bureaucracy, with unclear lines of command and slower operational responses. He revealed that whispers in the paddock pointed to Ferrari exploring the idea of opening a UK subsidiary, one that could operate in tandem with their Maranello headquarters. However, he warned that successful execution would require flawless communication between the two locations—something that could prove difficult to achieve.
Relocation Could Boost Hamilton and Leclerc—but Communication Remains Key
If Ferrari were to establish a UK facility, the potential benefits for both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could be significant. Locating technical staff in the so-called “motorsport valley” might help Ferrari attract top-tier engineers who are otherwise reluctant to relocate their lives to Italy. This could also streamline collaboration with existing suppliers and partners already based in the UK.
Ferrari’s recent failure to secure the services of design guru Adrian Newey is a prime example of this recruitment challenge. The legendary car designer ultimately chose Aston Martin over Ferrari, drawn in part by the Silverstone-based team’s convenient location—just a short distance from his long-time base at Red Bull Racing.
Lewis Hamilton, who has joined Ferrari for the 2025 season, is understood to have a contract extension option that could see him stay with the team through 2027. If the UK base plan were to materialize, it might align with the long-term project timeline that the British driver is expected to commit to. Audi, for instance, announced their UK expansion plans earlier this year and are already expected to open their new base before the end of 2025—demonstrating how quickly such initiatives can move when backed by urgency and resources.
Yet while Lewis Hamilton has publicly supported Fred Vasseur, his recent media comments have placed the Ferrari team boss in a difficult spot. On one hand, Hamilton continues to demand short-term car upgrades to remain competitive. On the other, he’s urged the team to pivot their focus toward the sweeping regulation changes coming in 2026. For a team like Ferrari, even with their vast resources, managing both fronts simultaneously may be stretching them thin.
Ultimately, the suggestion that Ferrari could join the majority of F1 teams by establishing a UK operation marks a potentially significant shift in philosophy. Whether this would finally help them break the cycle of near-misses and fulfill Lewis Hamilton’s championship ambitions remains to be seen—but it may be the kind of structural rethink the team has long needed.
