Former Ferrari President Criticizes 'Lack of Leadership' in Winless 2025 Season

Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has sharply criticized his old team, lamenting a 'lack of leadership' and a 'strong, determined soul' as the Scuderia endures a winless 2025 Formula 1 season despite high expectations.

Why it matters:

Di Montezemolo's comments carry significant weight, as he led Ferrari during Michael Schumacher's dominant era from 2000 to 2004. His assessment highlights a deep-seated issue within the team, contrasting sharply with the initial optimism surrounding the 2025 season and the high-profile arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Big Picture:

Ferrari entered 2025 as a championship hopeful after finishing second to McLaren in 2024. However, they have significantly underperformed:

• McLaren's Dominance: McLaren is currently dominating the Constructors' Championship with a 337-point lead over Ferrari.
• Driver Standings: Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are battling for the Drivers' title. Ferrari's best-placed driver, Charles Leclerc, is fifth with 163 points, while championship leader Piastri has 324. Lewis Hamilton is further behind with 117 points.
• Winless Season: Unlike McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes, Ferrari has yet to secure a single race win. Their best result so far is Leclerc's second-place finish in Bahrain.

Despite the poor on-track performance, the Tifosi's unwavering support was evident with thousands attending the 'Drive to Monza' event before the Italian Grand Prix, where Leclerc and Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively.

The Details:

Di Montezemolo told Sky Italia that Ferrari "has not won a single race to date" and stressed that for a team of Ferrari's stature, simply winning a race isn't enough; they must compete for the World Championship.

He specifically pointed to a leadership void:

• "Today's Ferrari has no leader, there is no leadership and above all, it lacks a strong, determined soul."
• He criticized the team for making "announcements that often create excessive expectations."
• His philosophy: "First, we do the results and then we make the announcements."

Ferrari is currently led by chairman John Elkann, CEO Benedetto Vigna, and F1 team principal Fred Vasseur.

What's Next:

Di Montezemolo expressed hope for change, primarily for the dedicated fans. His criticism underscores the immense pressure on the current leadership to deliver tangible results and restore Ferrari to its championship-winning form, moving beyond bold announcements to on-track performance.