Ferrari Faces Tough Questions After Carlos Sainz Outshines Lewis Hamilton at Imola

Windsor didn’t mince words when assessing team boss Fred Vasseur’s decision-making.. “Vasseurs management at Ferrari should now really come under a magnifying glass,” Windsor said. “It’s one thing that the team chooses a big brand like Lewis Hamilton, but it’s quite another that the team boss allows this.”

Ferrari’s issues extended beyond driver choices. According to Windsor, the team failed to unlock pace from Friday to Saturday—while rivals Red Bull and Aston Martin gained nearly a full second. “Ferrari found only a tenth or two. That’s ridiculous,” he said. “This has to do with the choices the team makes on the circuit.”

Meanwhile, Aston Martin’s aggressive tire strategy paid off, landing both Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso in Q3. Windsor credits the influence of Adrian Newey, who recently joined the team from Red Bull, as a potential catalyst for their sudden improvement.

With expectations sky-high and pressure mounting, Ferrari’s disappointing qualifying at Imola has reignited debate over its strategic direction—both on and off the track.