Italian Media Demand Drastic Changes at Ferrari Despite H…read more
Despite Lewis Hamilton’s impressive recovery drive at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Italian media have voiced harsh criticism towards Ferrari’s overall performance, insisting that the team needs “drastic measures” to address its continued shortcomings. The race weekend at Imola, seen as a key moment in the 2025 Formula 1 calendar, was expected to bring Ferrari a resurgence—especially with the addition of seven-time world champion Hamilton to the team. However, the results fell far short of expectations, leading to a wave of dissatisfaction among fans and journalists alike.
Ferrari’s struggles were most apparent during qualifying, where both Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc failed to make it out of Q2. The duo started the Grand Prix in P12 and P11 respectively, marking a bitter low point for the Scuderia at their home race. Although both drivers managed to recover and finish in the top 10—Hamilton securing P4 and Leclerc in P6—the Italian media were far from impressed. For them, the poor qualifying performance overshadowed any positives from the race itself.
Italian outlet Corriere della Sera was especially scathing in its assessment. Alongside a front-page photo of a distraught Ferrari fan draped in red merchandise, the publication tore into both the team’s performance and the post-race optimism shown by its drivers. They accused Hamilton and Leclerc of offering empty reassurances and rehearsed lines, failing to show genuine accountability or recognition of the situation’s gravity.
“These are ready-made phrases, packaged to mask a disappointment that consumes all patience,” the newspaper wrote. “At this point, even a little surreal. Nursery rhymes useful for keeping alive the hopes of a fan base in love to the point of forgetting every element that belongs to reality.”
The report further criticized Ferrari’s attempt to spin the race result as a form of progress. While Hamilton’s P4 finish may have looked strong on paper, it was not seen as a genuine indication of competitiveness. The underlying message was clear: unless the team begins addressing its deeper structural issues, any success will remain superficial.
“But yes, of course, let’s think about a comeback, a recovery. Forza Ferrari,” the article continued, with biting sarcasm. “It’s just that, given the situation we are in, instead of excuses and promises, we need providential seriousness. To make us understand that the top of the team, the technicians, are truly aware of the nature and extent of the problems.”
The article called on Ferrari’s leadership to act with “a sense of responsibility,” and to acknowledge that the issues plaguing the team require “adequate, precise, perhaps drastic measures.” In their view, only transparent and decisive action from senior management and the technical department will restore credibility.
Similarly, AutoRacer, another Italian outlet, echoed these concerns with a pessimistic outlook for both the current season and the year ahead. They argued that Ferrari’s decision to persist with the SF-25 car, rather than shift focus to their 2026 project, could prove costly. According to the publication, other teams are now pulling ahead in development, placing additional pressure on Ferrari as the regulations evolve.
“Reality says that, with the remodelled and delayed development program, the other teams are progressing, and this creates greater headaches for the Scuderia,” AutoRacer wrote. “The reaction to this resounding elimination in Q2 is precisely the explanation of why Ferrari CANNOT abandon the SF-25 and focus on 2026.”
The sentiment suggests a lack of faith not only in Ferrari’s short-term racecraft but also in the team’s broader strategic direction. The risk, according to Italian commentators, is that Ferrari will once again fall into a familiar cycle of unfulfilled potential and missed opportunities—regardless of how talented their driver lineup may be.
The Italian media’s frustration underscores the unique pressure faced by Ferrari in Formula 1. As one of the sport’s most storied teams, expectations are perennially sky-high—particularly when racing on home soil. The arrival of Lewis Hamilton was supposed to usher in a new era of competitiveness and bring Ferrari back to championship contention. Instead, Imola served as a painful reminder that even star power can’t paper over deep-seated issues within the team.
For now, Ferrari fans are being asked to remain patient—but the media is no longer willing to entertain promises without results. The message from Italy is clear: optimism alone won’t be enough. It’s time for Ferrari to deliver.
