Ferrari Turmoil and Alpine Fallout: Azerbaijan GP Aftermath

Ferrari is grappling with leadership instability as Fred Vasseur's role as team principal comes under scrutiny, coinciding with a string of poor results. Meanwhile, Alpine is facing an internal crisis after Franco Colapinto's Baku blunder sparked calls for a ban and cost the team a double-points finish.

Why it matters:

The instability at Ferrari comes at a critical juncture; Lewis Hamilton's visible frustration suggests a growing disconnect between the driver and the team's current trajectory. Simultaneously, the Colapinto situation at Alpine highlights the brutal reality for rookie drivers in the 2026 season, where a single mistake can lead to immediate calls for replacement.

The Details:

• Ferrari Leadership: Fred Vasseur has admitted that his future as team principal is "not in my hands," fueling speculation regarding a succession plan at Maranello.
• Hamilton's Friction: Despite a quiet weekend in Baku, untelevised radio clips reveal mounting tension between Lewis Hamilton and the Scuderia, as the team remains winless since early July.
• Colapinto's Crisis: After causing a multi-car accident that retired teammate Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto's performance rating plummeted to 1/10. Reigning champion Lando Norris went as far as calling for the driver to be banned.
• Stewards' Decision: Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto was hit with a 10-second post-race penalty for overtaking Sergio Perez’s Cadillac under yellow flags, dropping him from 13th to 15th.

What's next:

All eyes are now on Flavio Briatore, who is reportedly reflecting on the "course of action" for Colapinto, with the possibility of the driver being stood down for the upcoming Malaysian Grand Prix. For Ferrari, the priority is stabilizing its internal hierarchy to stop the bleeding of performance before the season enters its final stretch.