Ferrari In 2025: A Post-Mortem Analysis

Hopes of Ferrari fans were high at the beginning of 2025, as the team had ended the 2024 season in an incredibly strong position. Although they didn’t manage to win the Constructors’ Championship, they missed out on the trophy by only a few points. That, together with Ferrari’s incredible driver lineup of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, promised a great year ahead.

The first race of the season didn’t bring the results that the Tifosi were crossing their fingers for, but the first sprint, held in China, restored their faith. Hamilton won in red, seemingly proving to everyone that he had made the right choice by moving to Ferrari.

The celebrations didn’t last long, as an immediate low followed the quick high. Both Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from Sunday’s Grand Prix. This was the beginning of a pattern that continued throughout the season. Even if the team managed to do something noteworthy, it was always overshadowed by the many problems they were facing.

The Rest Of The Season

It quickly became clear that the sprint win was nothing but an exception to the rule of mediocrity. Although Ferrari began the 2025 season by fighting for second place in the Constructors’ Championship, they quickly tumbled down the order. By the time it had ended, they were fourth, the last of all ‘top’ teams.

Leclerc managed to stand on the podium a few times throughout the season, but Hamilton didn’t reach the top three in any Grand Prix. Still, the good performances were too few and far between to satisfy anyone, least of all the drivers. The SF-25 seemed to be all but undriveable, and the two men behind its steering wheel were quick to call out its many flaws. Weekend after weekend, Hamilton and Leclerc became more dejected, as their hopes of winning any Grand Prix slowly withered away. Even just finishing a race in a somewhat satisfying position turned out to be a true challenge.

The Consequences

What does the underwhelming season mean for the historic team? First and foremost, it doesn’t bode well for their future. Hamilton is still Ferrari-bound for 2026, but he is no longer thrilled to be a part of their family. Throughout the season, he has lost some of his confidence. In many interviews, he expressed the fear that he had lost his driving ability completely. Unless he can find a way to believe in his skills once more, the fear and dejection are bound to lead to another season to forget.

The situation is even more dramatic when it comes to Ferrari’s second driver, Leclerc. He has been the team’s heart and soul since joining them in 2019. On multiple occasions, he stated that his dream wasn’t just to win the Drivers’ Championship, but to do so dressed in red. Now, given Ferrari’s disappointing performance, rumors can be heard about his supposed contact with other teams. The consensus seems to be that if the beginning of 2026 doesn’t look promising, he is open to leaving Italy behind.

On top of the aforementioned problems, Ferrari is dealing with some intra-team issues. Recently, their chairman, John Elkann, made controversial statements, criticizing the drivers and the team’s integrity. While no one knows what exactly the situation is within Italy’s most beloved institution, Maranello seems to be filled with unpleasant tension. If the state continues into the 2026 season, it will be hard for Ferrari to put up a united front and dominate their competitors.

Is There Hope For 2026?

The answer to that question is rather complicated. The Tifosi are known for their unwavering hope, and they are sure to stick with their team no matter the situation. With the new regulations, it is all but impossible to say who will be a frontrunner before the season begins. As the saying goes, it’s not over till it’s over, and for now, we are still waiting for the new era of Formula One to begin.

At the same time, the situation isn’t looking great for Ferrari. If rumors are to be believed, Mercedes and Red Bull seem to have found a loophole in the new regulations. It is said that it will allow them to gain a big advantage over their competitors. This, of course, also applies to all the teams to which Mercedes supplies their engines, meaning that almost half of the field is set to be in a great position. While it isn’t 100% certain that the loophole will provide the boost to performance, it doesn’t bode well for the Italian team.

End Of My Ferrari Rant

Ferrari is stuck in a vicious circle. Every year, the same “next year will be our year” is muttered by the Tifosi. Every year, they are left dejected and disappointed. 2026 might end up being crucial for the team. If they succeed, they will prove all the people claiming that there is something fundamentally wrong with their racing philosophy wrong. If they fail, they will have to admit that the voices of concern have always been right.