Ex-Ferrari Chairman Slams Frederic Vasseur as Leclerc and Hamilton Struggle

Ferrari entered the 2025 Formula 1 season with renewed optimism after signing Lewis Hamilton, but the team has yet to deliver a Grand Prix victory after 16 rounds.



The Italian squad’s only triumph came in the form of Hamilton’s Sprint race win in China back in round two. Since then, Ferrari have fallen behind their rivals, with McLaren securing 12 victories, Red Bull three, and Mercedes one.



Despite this lack of success, Ferrari remain second in the constructors’ standings with 280 points, well behind McLaren’s 617. Their position owes much to consistency, with Charles Leclerc holding fifth in the drivers’ standings on 163 points and Hamilton sixth on 117.



Battling to Retain Second



Ferrari’s grip on second place is tenuous but still intact. They hold a 20-point lead over Mercedes and a 41-point margin ahead of Red Bull. Both rivals, however, are relying heavily on standout individual performances. Max Verstappen has claimed 230 of Red Bull’s 239 points this season, while George Russell has taken 194 of Mercedes’ 260.



Team principal Fred Vasseur had much loftier goals before the season began. During pre-season testing in Bahrain, he made it clear Ferrari would be targeting both championships. That ambition has now evaporated, with McLaren in a commanding position to secure the constructors’ crown. A strong result in Azerbaijan could seal their title with eight races to spare.



Di Montezemolo Voices Concerns



Ferrari’s prolonged struggle has drawn criticism from former chairman Luca di Montezemolo. Speaking to Sky Italia, he expressed disappointment with how the team is being led.



“The thing that saddens me today is to see a Ferrari [team] that has no leader,” he said.



“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.”



Montezemolo, who oversaw Ferrari’s last dominant era between 1974 and 2014, has yet to see the team add to the championships they claimed under his tenure. Ferrari’s last drivers’ title came in 2007, with the most recent constructors’ championship in 2008.



Pressure on Vasseur



Vasseur has not been without pressure this season. After a difficult run through the opening nine races, speculation arose about whether he would remain in charge. However, Ferrari confirmed their faith in him by extending his contract until 2027.



The Frenchman came close to delivering glory in 2024, when Ferrari narrowly lost out to McLaren by just 14 points in the constructors’ race. The arrival of Hamilton from Mercedes was expected to provide the extra push needed this year, but results have fallen short.



So far, Ferrari have managed just one pole position in Hungary through Leclerc, highlighting how far off they are from their rivals’ pace. Their hopes of salvaging the season now rest on fending off Mercedes and Red Bull to secure second place in the championship.



The pressure is mounting in Maranello, and as McLaren edge closer to sealing the title, Ferrari’s long wait for championship glory looks set to continue.
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