Scuderia Ferrari are supposed to be the “destined winners”—so why isn’t the team actually winning? When one thinks about Formula 1, they usually think about the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton or the iconic Scuderia Ferrari, and recently, the two actually united. However, not a single Grand Prix has been won this season (as of November 4). It leaves people to wonder: why is Ferrari falling short of its preeminence?
An important point to note is that being part of Scuderia Ferrari means having high expectations, and Charles Leclerc’s reputation as “Il Predestinato,” or the “Destined One,” created intense pressure. He even said in a Sky Sports interview, “My only obsession is winning in red.” Pressure can work as a motivator for some teams, but it reaches a point where all it does is create panic. With every loss, the expectation of winning the next competition mounts—and everyone has their breaking point.
Additionally, the SF-25 car used throughout this season reportedly suffers from a narrow operating window and sensitivity to ride-height changes, leading to conservative setups to avoid penalties, compounded by strategic errors and a mid-season focus on a suspension fix instead of aerodynamic upgrades. This highlights the pressing need for change, leading to public outcry from fans and viewers alike.
Fred Vasseur, the team principal, has often stated that this is a period of transition. Some call this into question, skeptical that he is not only trying to counteract the blame of this season’s failures. Nonetheless, Vasseur speaks the truth. He signed on as team principal in 2023. Then, in 2024, the team saw an enormous improvement, with five victories and a second-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship. Therefore, his leadership has not been characterized only by losses. He has also led the team to success and growth.
Since the team’s founding in 1929—nearly one hundred years ago—it has more wins than any other constructor (248, to be exact). Still, it has faced challenges. The 1980 season was the most grim of all, with a meager eight points and not a single victory. The team was nonetheless able to not only get back on its feet, but even pull far ahead of its competitors by 2000. The early 2000s were some of Ferrari’s best years. They secured a whopping total of fifty-seven wins from 2000 to 2004, demonstrating their ability to bounce back from previous failures.
Moreover, the team will have the opportunity to remedy any issues with their current car at the end of this season. While the SF-25 might face problems, no one knows what their next debut might bring. It will reportedly address all of the current weaknesses, strengthen its aerodynamics, and use a different engine. Not only that, but the Formula 1 regulations for 2026 will be vastly different from those in the present. These variables give Ferrari fans hope for a fresh start next year.
Ultimately, this “downfall” seems temporary; Ferrari’s foundations, talents, and legacies remain solid. Throughout its history, one of Ferrari’s greatest attributes has been its ability to evolve and return to that spotlight. Soon enough, Formula 1 and the world will see the prancing horse return to the place where it belongs.
