SF-25 struggles: are Ferrari engineers blaming Enrico Cardile for poor performance?. Rumors swirl at Maranello about Ferrari engineers allegedly blaming Enrico Cardile for the SF-25’s struggles.

Do Ferrari engineers blame Enrico Cardile for SF-25 issues? What’s happening in Maranello

Following John Elkann’s comments about the drivers, many have expressed opinions—but are Ferrari engineers really placing the blame for the SF-25 failure on Enrico Cardile? Here’s what’s reportedly happening behind the scenes in Maranello.

Rumors in Maranello suggest that the SF-25’s underperformance is largely linked to Enrico Cardile’s technical leadership. These claims have gained traction especially after John Elkann’s criticism of the drivers. Elkann’s words caused a storm, and both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton appeared to respond subtly via Instagram posts. Italian media and the British press have also weighed in, defending the two drivers, who were never in a position to fight for victories. Clearly, any such public criticism would have been based on some seriously misleading information. Within the team, it seems that the seven-time world champion is offering advice and urging engineers to change their mindset and processes—something not universally welcomed in Maranello. Some sources even go as far as blaming Enrico Cardile for the SF-25’s failure.

Internal whispers about Enrico Cardile’s responsibility are worrying. According to Motorsport.com Italy’s Franco Nugnes, “The words are harsh, but the objective is unclear. He saved the mechanics who will win the Fastest Pit Stop Award, the team trophy for the quickest pit stops. He saved the engineers who, in his view, would fix the disappointing SF-25. Loic Serra’s staff, however, bungled the development of the Ferrari. In the second half of the season, the car should have fought with McLaren for wins but instead remains winless, while Mercedes and Red Bull improved, leaving the Scuderia in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship.”

It has been frequently noted that the decision to focus solely on the upgraded rear suspension, effectively blocking already planned aerodynamic upgrades, was an error attributed to the French Technical Director. Recent performance improvements came from a collaborative effort between the drivers—especially Charles Leclerc—and the team, addressing areas of the car that had previously remained untouched. Yet the rumor paints a concerning picture.

“While Diego Ioverno’s mechanics team did their part, the engineers have justified themselves by claiming that the SF-25 is Enrico Cardile’s responsibility, not Loic Serra’s. As if Diego Tondi, head of aerodynamics, and Fabio Montecchi, head of chassis, arrived from Mars.” The overall takeaway is that all parties share some blame for this poorly conceived project. Placing the full burden on Aston Martin’s current CTO is inaccurate. The situation will become clearer in 2026, when no excuses will remain. The new car will be the product of Fred Vasseur and his chosen team, determining the future of the Scuderia and its two drivers.