Ferrari under pressure: Fred Vasseur faces criticism after Baku
Ferrari continues to face a complex situation under the leadership of team principal Frédéric Vasseur, and the Azerbaijan Grand Prix only intensified doubts surrounding the Scuderia. The weekend in Baku sparked new debates and prompted prominent voices to question the direction of the team.
The race highlighted the ongoing struggles of the SF-25, with Lewis Hamilton finishing eighth and Charles Leclerc just behind in ninth. These results fell far short of expectations, prompting Sky Sport F1 commentator Carlo Vanzini to voice strong concerns about Fred Vasseur’s management and the performance of the Ferrari car.
From the speck to the beam: a striking image
After the Azerbaijan GP, Carlo Vanzini opened his analysis with a comparison that made a strong impression. He said, “I consider Maurizio Arrivabene the strongest team principal among those who arrived after Stefano Domenicali. I see a very complex situation.” These words underline Carlo Vanzini’s belief that Ferrari still lacks firm leadership capable of returning the team to the top of Formula 1. According to the commentator, the superiority of Ferrari’s rivals is evident and has been developing over time.
Vanzini also highlighted how McLaren’s race simulation at the Bahrain tests appeared to shift focus toward 2026, noting, “It seems that from McLaren’s race simulation during the Bahrain tests, the focus has already moved to 2026, because the superiority is embarrassing. Then they built a new car and presented it as 90% new, and it still doesn’t perform.” This was a direct critique of Ferrari’s current project management, which has failed to close the gap with Red Bull and McLaren.
He further analyzed recent changes within Ferrari’s technical structure, adding, “Then Enrico Cardile leaves and Loic Serra arrives, who needs time. He has had time, and they changed the suspension, but it doesn’t seem that results have come.” Again, the criticism focused on the lack of tangible progress despite adjustments and personnel changes.
Ferrari still chasing rivals
Fred Vanzini concluded with a vivid metaphor to describe the team’s situation: “They always look at the qualifying ‘excuse.’ It seems there’s always a reason: now it’s the wind, in the Netherlands because they started behind. They always do this. It’s like looking at the speck in the eye when there’s a beam. If I were a Ferrari driver, I’d be very worried—I don’t see any light.”
The takeaway from Baku is bitter. With Red Bull and McLaren continuing to pull ahead and Mercedes often showing strong pace, Ferrari and Fred Vasseur find themselves once again chasing the leaders, stuck in a situation that risks slipping further into a cycle of justifications and disappointments.
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