What began as a season of hope, a fresh driver pairing, a revitalized technical structure, and a final shot at ground-effect glory, has unraveled into one of Ferrari’s most chaotic campaigns in recent memory. With nine races down and zero victories to show for it, Ferrari finds itself over 190 points behind McLaren. The title fight is long gone. What remains is a battle for identity, leadership, and credibility.
In the span of a few race weekends, Ferrari has become engulfed in rumors over Fred Vasseur’s job, rising frustration from both Hamilton and Leclerc, an unresolved technical issue the team refuses to disclose, and a PR misfire in Montreal. None of these stories live in isolation, they’re threads in the same unraveling fabric.
The Vasseur Situation: Crisis Manufactured, Loyalty Weaponized
As Italian media began circulating reports about Fred Vasseur’s job being under threat, the Ferrari garage swiftly became a pressure cooker of politics and posturing. While Ferrari’s top brass denied the speculation, the broader silence from key figures like John Elkann only intensified the noise.
But it wasn’t just media narrative, Hamilton took a clear stand. He directly credited Vasseur as the reason he joined Ferrari, emphasizing their long-standing history and chemistry. His message was unequivocal: Vasseur deserves more time and full support.
Rather than soft diplomacy, Hamilton showed defiance. His message wasn’t just loyalty, it was a line in the sand. Hamilton’s words also served as a subtle warning: remove Vasseur, and you risk derailing the project entirely. That kind of clear, emotional defense from a world champion isn’t common, and fans noticed.
Still, not all observers saw it as bulletproof. Some interpreted Hamilton’s phrasing, emphasizing that Vasseur was “a big part” of his move, not the sole reason, as calculated. It allows for future flexibility while giving current support. In other words, a firm handshake, not a lifelong vow.
Critics also note that loyalty is only as durable as results. Fred is expected to deliver both a competitive title fight and a globally marketable star pairing. Missing one might be forgivable. Missing both? Likely not.
It’s worth remembering that Ferrari is a team where public defense often masks private negotiations. Hamilton’s words do protect Fred, for now, but they also highlight how fragile the internal dynamics have become.
The Unspoken Technical Problem: Plank Wear or PR Paralysis?
Following a dismal outing in Spain, Hamilton and Leclerc both hinted at a mysterious technical issue that emerged midway through the race and severely impacted performance. Ferrari confirmed that something was wrong, but refused to say what. That silence triggered a flurry of fan theories.
The most convincing hypothesis revolves around excessive plank wear. Fans pointed out that Leclerc’s car has been pulled aside for post-race inspection four times already this season, suggesting a recurring compliance issue. The theory posits that the car’s rear squats too much under load, grinding down the legality plank. The only solutions, raising the ride height or stiffening the rear, would severely compromise pace.
This isn’t just speculation, it’s a grounded interpretation based on visible patterns. It would also explain why Ferrari is reluctant to say more. Publicly acknowledging a borderline rules issue would invite FIA scrutiny and open the door to protests.
Meanwhile, the HP partnership invited some levity. Fans mocked the idea of Ferrari’s modern sponsor aligning with outdated performance.
The jokes flowed: references to ink cartridge failures, firmware blocks, and paper jams in the diffuser. One standout analysis even merged satire with accuracy, noting that a “firmware update” might be the only way Ferrari’s car will go “vrooommm” again. The printer metaphor isn’t just humor, it’s a reflection of frustration: that Ferrari’s car, like an HP device, is technically advanced but inexplicably unreliable.
The Montreal Moment: When Nostalgia Backfires
At the Canadian Grand Prix, Ferrari tried to recapture the magic with an old Charles Leclerc F1 car. But the tribute instantly drew backlash. Fans quickly identified the car’s visuals as a Frankenstein mix of modern sponsorship slapped onto a historic machine.
Rather than reverence, the move was seen as corporate branding gone wrong. The tribute livery, which should’ve evoked awe, instead felt like a marketing stunt. To purists, it was sacrilege.
The backlash wasn’t just aesthetic. Fans pointed out that the change disrespected not only the car’s original designers but the identity of the era. “Why ruin a classic just to promote new sponsors?” was a common refrain. Others joked that it looked like someone had mashed together parts from five different cars across a decade.
Even those who acknowledged the contractual obligations behind the livery still criticized the execution. The consensus: if you can’t do a tribute right, maybe don’t do one at all.
Leclerc’s Faith Wears Thin
While Hamilton defends the leadership, Leclerc’s silence has been louder. Sources close to him say that, for the first time, he’s seriously evaluating whether his long-term deal, running through 2029, is still the right fit.
That contract includes performance clauses. And with other teams eyeing potential openings for 2026, the timing could line up. Mercedes hasn’t renewed Russell. Aston Martin is aggressively recruiting. And Toto Wolff has long admired Leclerc’s skill.
More telling is the emotional side. Leclerc has spent seven years in red with just a handful of wins to show for it. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri, just 3 years into a front-running McLaren, has already matched that output. The comparison stings.
Leclerc may not leave. But for the first time, it seems like he’s open to the idea. And that’s a dangerous place for Ferrari to be, especially with Hamilton still adjusting, and no title in sight.
Ferrari in 2025: A Team Caught Between Image and Identity
Everything about Ferrari’s current crisis is interlinked. A car potentially skating legal lines. A star driver reevaluating his future. A new icon defending a team boss the media wants gone. And a marketing machine that keeps stepping on its own nostalgia.
What’s most troubling isn’t the rumors, it’s Ferrari’s refusal to be transparent. The lack of technical clarity, strategic communication, or even basic PR cohesion has left fans to speculate, meme, and ultimately disengage.
For a team built on passion, Ferrari has begun to feel like a corporation first and a racing team second. That’s not just a branding issue. It’s an existential one.
Until they get that balance right, until they build not just a fast car but a coherent culture, Ferrari will remain what it is now:
A legend caught in its own past, drifting further from its future.