The Baku weekend has left a bitter style for Ferrari, and for these of us who help the workforce unconditionally regardless of the tough actuality of outcomes and performances. Leaving Azerbaijan with simply an eighth and a ninth place end is unacceptable, particularly after a race the place the purple automotive was barely seen. This got here on the heels of Friday’s phantasm, when Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc appeared to surge forward of the competitors.
Fred Vasseur made a press release that sounded both incomprehensible or just unrealistic: “If I take a look at Friday, I’m satisfied we’ve got a profitable workforce.” Sadly, races are selected Sundays, based mostly on occasions that unfold all through the weekend, significantly on Saturday. And Saturday for Ferrari, particularly after what occurred at Monza the earlier week, has persistently been a nightmare.
It’s true that driver errors can play a task, with Charles Leclerc being extra delicate to threat because of his aggressive strategy in comparison with Hamilton. But, the core difficulty lies with the automotive itself. The SF-25 has been problematic because the begin of the season, initially hampered by a twin disqualification associated to the ground making the automotive unlawful in trip top, then counting on a supposedly miraculous rear suspension that rapidly disappeared from relevance. Now, the workforce is as soon as once more on the mercy of the slender efficiency window by which the tires function optimally—a recurring problem relationship again years.
Fred Vasseur’s protection of his workforce and chosen workers is sort of endearing. He even highlights that 60 new members have been employed over the previous 18 months. Nevertheless, thus far, their impression on lap instances has been negligible.
To maneuver past empty excuses and finger-pointing, a correct evaluation with Ferrari president John Elkann and CEO Benedetto Vigna is perhaps crucial. A candid dialogue may assist reset the workforce’s route, presumably together with changes within the organizational construction and workforce placement. With out such modifications, even the immense benefit of getting two world-class drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc—each demoralized and carrying a protracted checklist of frustrations—fails to ship anticipated outcomes.
Whereas Ferrari struggles with uncertainty and lacks a transparent path ahead, Purple Bull, regardless of additionally going through challenges reminiscent of key personnel leaving and managing Christian Horner’s management, has discovered the appropriate strategy to regain aggressive energy. They offered Max Verstappen, their undisputed primary driver, with a considerably improved automotive able to outpacing the in any other case dominant McLaren in consecutive races. Each at Monza and Baku, Verstappen dictated the tempo and delivered as he wished. The 69-point hole to Oscar Piastri, nevertheless, stays a monumental problem, however Verstappen will undoubtedly proceed to push.
Talking of Oscar Piastri, his two main errors over two days introduced him again right down to earth, whereas Lando Norris, cautious and hesitant, did not capitalize on the alternatives, reinforcing his fame as a driver who’s unbeatable when main however struggles when in pursuit.
There have been, nevertheless, noteworthy performances in Baku. Carlos Sainz, now fondly remembered by Ferrari followers, George Russell—who some see as a possible future Ferrari driver—and Matteo Antonelli, who wanted a spark, all confirmed their finest on a difficult and misleading circuit.
For the championship standings, not a lot modified. Nevertheless, if Max Verstappen dominates once more at Singapore in two weeks, your entire F1 viewers may expertise a surge of pleasure, nervousness, and anticipation, providing a compelling spectacle no matter Ferrari’s continued struggles.
Sep 23, 2025
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