When asked next time about why he has turned down Ferrari on three previous occasions, Adrian Newey only has to point to the current state of chaotic affairs in Maranello. The team made a blockbuster signing in terms of Lewis Hamilton yet also made the perverse decision vision over the winter to be the only F1 team to build a “brand new car” for 2025 instead of evolving the one the had developed so successfully.
The biggest change was the switch on the front suspensions from push rod to pull rod. The later has some latent aerodynamic properties but makes the car much more difficult to work on in that area. There are those who argue this was done search for performance gains next season when the huge new car design regulations come into force.
Yet Ferrari had the quickest car over the final six race weekends of last season, closing down McLaren’s lead from 75 points to just 14 come the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi. And in the ground effect era of F1 the more successful teams have been the ones who do not bring blockbuster big in season upgrades, but smaller tweaks which themselves can offer big performance improvements.
Hamilton improves to Sainz level
Yet under the leadership of Vasseur, Ferrari rolled the dice big time in the F1 casino, only to come up with snake eyes because the SF-25 is no match for its other rivals. The Scuderia’s tally this season is just three podiums for Charles Leclerc on Sunday yet after ten rounds in 2024, the team had collected three wins and seven podiums with Sainz and Leclerc behind the wheel.
The signing of Lewis Hamilton has also taken it toll, but the British driver appears to be getting to grips with the Ferrari car. After out qualifying Leclerc in Canada only for the third time this season, Hamilton’s average time deficit to his team mate on Saturdays now looks similar to that of Carlos Sainz in 2024. Across the year the Spaniard was 0.188s slower than the Monegasque, Hamilton’s gap is now 0.196.
Italy’s media have been hammering Ferrari over the past month identifying a number individuals who are not delivering as expected. Of course team principal Fred Vasseur is front and centre in the crosshairs as paddock rumours swirl the decision has been made to remove the Frenchman from his role as team boss.
Lewis Hamilton made a lengthy and impassioned plea on behalf of Vasseur in Montreal and now ex-Ferrari team boss and F1 CEO, Stefano Domenicali, has also given the Frenchman his vote of confidence. His advice to Vasseur is to “disconnect from the external noise,” as the pressure mounts for him to be replaced after Ferrari’s lack lustre performances this year.
An Englishman running Ferrari?????
Such is the dissatisfaction in Italy, even arch enemy Christian Horner has been proposed as Vasseur’s replacement. To see an Englishman at the helm of the Scuderia, wold be a first in all of history but the Red Bull boss, whilst flattered, says he isn’t going anywhere soon.
Having re-joined the premier class of racing at the 24 hours of Le Mans, Ferrari recently completed a historic treble of wins 2023-2025. Ironically it was the privately fundered non-works Ferrari hypercar number 83 which won this year, finishing ahead of the other two factory funded teams. However the programme for both customers and the works team is run by Antonello Coletti, who currently leads their World Endurance Championship operation and is being identified as a potential replacement for Vasseur.
Domenicali, who was the boss of the Scuderia from 2008 to 2014, was the last leader in Maranello to taste championship success winning the constructors’ title in 2008. He is convinced that Vasseur is the right man to restore Ferrari’s fortunes and speaking to L’Equipe he backed there Frenchman telling him to stay focused despite the pressure on his shoulders.
“He is doing a great job and must remain strong on his objectives,” said Domenicali. “He needs to disconnect from the external noise and conserve his energy to keep pushing forward. “I’ve told him, and I say it again now, I believe in him. He must not let these attacks weaken him. Criticism is always part of the job. Let him work in peace, that’s how Ferrari will get back to the top.”
Vasseur blames media for Ferrari problems
Vasseur is best known for his role as the team principal at Sauber, although his time at Renault and Alfa Romeo make him on of the most experiences team bosses on the grid. He was also the ART owner in junior formula racing where he worked with Lewis Hamilton before his big signing in 2007 by McLaren.
Domenicali’s encouragement maybe came a week to late for the Ferrari boss, whose extra-ordinary melt down in the press conference in Canada saw him wildly suggest the Ferrari team are where they are because of their critics.
“It’s not about myself, I think, because this I can manage,” said Vasseur in Montreal. “It’s more about the people of the team. To throw their name like this, I think it’s just disrespectful. For them, for their family. ”I don’t know the target. I don’t understand the target. Perhaps it’s to give s*** to the team, but in this case, I don’t see the point. Perhaps it’s for them the only way to exist. This is probably more the reason, but it’s really hurting the team.”
Vasseur complained the media attention was causing Ferrari personnel to lose focus because week in and out he is being asked whether he and others are justifying their roles. “If it’s their target to put the team in this situation, they reached their goal, but I think it’s really… it’s not like this that we’ll be able to win a championship.”
Fred Vasseur has four race weekends before the F1 summer break beginning on 4th August, he should survive the cut until then, but his time is short to demonstrate the team are turning around their season.
Red Bull boss identifies key race in title defence
The Formula One season is approaching the half way point and with ten of the twenty four race weekends complete McLaren are clearly leading the charge on both championships. Yet Red Bull Racing are desperate to see their star driver claim that elusive fifth consecutive drivers’ championship, something only Michael Schumacher has ever achieved.
Last time out in Canada, McLaren looked on the back foot for the first time and whilst the F1 constructors’ title is almost in the bag for the second year in a row, there is plenty of time and points available for the picture in the drivers’ championship for the picture to change.
Up next is Austria and the Red Bull Ring has been something of a lucky charm for Max Verstappen. He has won has won four of the last seven Grand Prix in Styria andthat count would have been one higher but for an unfortunate coming together last year with Lando Norris…… READ MORE
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
