Ted Kravitz suggests Ferrari may revisit risky logistics decision that previously ended in disappointment. Ferrari is considering a major move to establish a UK base in 2025 to revive its Formula 1 fortunes.

Ferrari Reconsiders Opening UK Base in 2025 Amid Ongoing Struggles and Historic Setback

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign continues to raise serious concerns, with the team still searching for effective solutions to explain their disappointing performance. Despite coming within 14 points of the Constructors’ Championship last season under team principal Fred Vasseur, this year’s effort has fallen far short of expectations. Hopes of ending their 17-year title drought have faded rapidly, and both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are already mathematically out of the fight for the Drivers’ Championship.

Now in crisis mode, Ferrari must address both immediate and structural issues if they are to become title contenders again. In the short term, engineers are focused on improving the car’s rear suspension system, which has been a key factor in handling difficulties. This issue has been exacerbated by the team’s more conservative setup approach since Lewis Hamilton’s disqualification in China, where the ride height drew scrutiny and penalties. While the precaution is understandable, it is also costing Ferrari valuable lap time.

In parallel, there are growing whispers within the paddock about a more radical shift—namely, the establishment of a UK-based technical hub to complement the Maranello headquarters. Former F1 champion Nico Rosberg recently revealed that Ferrari is actively exploring this possibility, aiming to tap into the UK’s deep pool of engineering talent. However, this idea has sparked debate due to the legacy of a failed attempt in the past.

Ted Kravitz Highlights Ferrari’s Previous UK Venture as a Cautionary Tale

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz has weighed in on the situation, reminding fans of Ferrari’s earlier effort to operate a remote base in the United Kingdom—an initiative that ultimately ended in disappointment. Speaking on The F1 Show, Kravitz referenced the late 1980s and 1990s when Ferrari hired renowned designer John Barnard, who insisted on staying in the UK. In response, Ferrari established the Ferrari Design and Development (FDD) centre in Guildford, Surrey.

At the time, however, the technological limitations of remote collaboration made communication between the UK and Maranello extremely difficult. Ted Kravitz suggested that the lack of integration and logistical challenges led many insiders to view the venture as a “bit of a disaster.” While he acknowledged that modern digital tools could make remote operations more viable today, he described the idea of reviving a UK base as a significant strategic gamble—one that must be approached with caution.

He also pointed to the example of the Racing Bulls team, formerly Toro Rosso, which is in the process of establishing a UK presence while maintaining its base in Italy. Ted Kravitz believed this would serve as an interesting test case for Ferrari to observe.

Inside the Rise and Fall of Ferrari’s Design and Development Centre in Guildford

Ferrari’s first UK base, under Barnard’s leadership, was born out of necessity rather than preference. The agreement allowed Barnard to remain in Britain, and the FDD was opened to support his work. Though Ferrari continued to invest in the facility throughout the 1990s, the operation was ultimately shut down.

According to Grand Prix, the company sold the Guildford site to Barnard in 1997 for £900,000, and it was quickly sold again to the Arrows F1 team.

Barnard later reflected on the project’s shortcomings, citing persistent budget conflicts and a lack of understanding from Ferrari’s upper management. In a Motorsport Magazine interview, he explained that his realistic budgets were frequently slashed by 15%, making effective planning impossible. Barnard also revealed that when Michael Schumacher was set to join the team in 1996, Ferrari belatedly encouraged him to make significant equipment purchases—something Barnard insisted should have been done years earlier in preparation for Schumacher’s arrival. The misalignment between departments, he claimed, was a source of deep frustration.
Despite the struggles, the final car produced under Barnard’s direction at the FDD nearly helped Schumacher secure his third world title, suggesting that the talent was present—but the structure wasn’t.

Is Ferrari Ready to Try Again with a Modern Approach?

As the Scuderia looks ahead, pressure is mounting on Fred Vasseur and his leadership team to rethink Ferrari’s organisational model. While the idea of reopening a UK base might once have been seen as a non-starter, today’s more advanced remote-working infrastructure offers possibilities that didn’t exist three decades ago.

Still, Kravitz’s warning resonates: for a team as steeped in tradition and internal politics as Ferrari, any major structural shift—particularly one echoing a failed strategy from the past—will require careful planning and flawless execution. If not, history could be destined to repeat itself.