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Luca di Montezemolo frustrated by Fred Vasseur’s recent comments about Ferrari

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Archer | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 9:40 AM ET

Ferrari had hoped that the arrival of Lewis Hamilton would spark a turnaround in their fortunes, but 16 races into the season, they’re still waiting for their first win.

Hamilton’s sprint victory in Shanghai back in round two remains Ferrari’s only win this year. Among F1’s top four teams, they are the only one still without a Grand Prix victory in 2025. McLaren have won 12 races, Red Bull three and Mercedes one.

If not for Charles Leclerc and Hamilton sitting fifth and sixth in the drivers’ championship – with 163 points and 117 points respectively – it’s hard to imagine Ferrari would still be holding onto second place in the constructors’ standings. McLaren have a comfortable lead of 337 points over them.

Ferrari are currently holding off Mercedes by just 20 points, while Red Bull sits 41 points behind them with eight rounds left to go. Max Verstappen has carried nearly all of Red Bull’s load this season, scoring 230 out of their total 239 points. Over at Mercedes, George Russell has contributed most of their tally as well, putting up 194 out of their team’s total of 260.

Luca di Montezemolo criticises Fred Vasseur, saying Ferrari ‘lacks leadership’

Second place in the championship wasn’t what Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur had in mind back after pre-season testing in Bahrain. The 57-year-old stated that both titles would be Ferrari’s objective in the 2025 F1 season, as the Scuderia have two drivers who “can do it” this term.

But Vasseur has now accepted that McLaren will win the 2025 F1 constructors’ title. They can wrap up the championship next week at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix if they leave Baku with a 346-point lead over Ferrari. The wait goes on for Ferrari, who last won a teams’ title in 2008 and haven’t had a drivers’ champion since Kimi Raikkonen’s victory in 2007.

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Speaking to Sky Italia, di Montezemolo said: “The thing that saddens me today is to see a Ferrari [team] that has no leader. There is no leadership and, above all, I see that they lack a strong, determined soul.

“Announcements are made that often create excessive expectations. First, we get the results and then we make the announcements.”

Fred Vasseur signs contract extension to stay at Ferrari until at least the 2027 season

Luca di Montezemolo stepped down as Ferrari chairman in 2014, and he’s yet to see the team add another title to those they won during his time. Fred Vasseur nearly brought the constructors’ trophy back to Maranello in 2024, but McLaren edged them out by just 14 points.

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The 2024 campaign was meant to build momentum for another push in 2025, especially with Lewis Hamilton joining from Mercedes. But so far, it hasn’t panned out that way. Leclerc’s pole in Hungary remains their only one this year, and much of their standing has come from Red Bull and Mercedes relying heavily on single drivers.

The lack of progress put serious pressure on Vasseur early in the season. After nine rounds, his job security was already being questioned. However, he managed to steady things enough that by July, Ferrari offered him a new deal extending through to the end of the 2027 campaign.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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