Formula 1 is a brutal mistress. One moment, you`re basking in the glory of historic victories; the next, you`re left questioning the very essence of your machinery. For Scuderia Ferrari, the 2025 season has morphed into an unwelcome masterclass in humility. As the Formula 1 circus gears up for the United States Grand Prix, the famed Italian team finds itself adrift, a stark contrast to its own glorious past and the surging form of its rivals.
Leclerc`s Candid Assessment: “Passengers to the Car”
The sentiment from within Maranello`s revered garage is palpable. Following a challenging Singapore Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc trailed the race-winning Mercedes by a substantial 46 seconds to finish a distant sixth, his words cut deep: “At the moment it just feels like we are passengers to the car.” This isn`t just a driver venting frustration; it’s a damning indictment of a car that appears to have lost its way, especially in critical conditions like the hot and humid Marina Bay night.
The Singapore outing also highlighted concerning reliability issues, with brake problems afflicting Ferrari. While competitors navigated these challenges, Ferrari`s performance deficit seemed to compound their woes, leaving them vulnerable.
The Shifting Sands of Performance: Rivals Find Their Stride
The narrative of Ferrari`s season has been defined not just by their own struggles, but by the remarkable resurgence of their primary competitors. While many expected a freeze on major car developments given the looming 2026 regulation overhaul, Red Bull and Mercedes have proven otherwise. These teams, perhaps with a touch of engineering magic or simply superior foresight, found crucial performance gains where Ferrari did not.
- Red Bull: A significant floor upgrade at Monza helped Max Verstappen clinch victory, followed by low-downforce rear-wing changes in Baku, and a new front wing in Singapore. Their car, initially somewhat inconsistent, now appears formidable once more.
- Mercedes: Not to be outdone, Mercedes arrived at the last two events with revised front wings, visibly closing the performance gap and even securing a win.
- McLaren: Meanwhile, McLaren has consistently showcased strong development, positioning themselves firmly at the forefront, having already clinched the Constructors` Championship with remarkable efficiency.
This relentless push from their rivals has left Ferrari in a precarious position. Leclerc`s stark declaration that Ferrari is “now the fourth team and solidly the fourth team” is backed by the numbers. In the last four races, Ferrari accumulated a mere 38 points, dwarfed by Red Bull`s 96, McLaren`s 91, and Mercedes` 89. It`s a scoreboard that speaks volumes, and not in Italian opera`s usual triumphant tones.
An Unwanted Anniversary and the Road Ahead
As the Formula 1 caravan makes its way to the North American double-header in the USA and Mexico, a grim milestone awaits Ferrari: an unwanted anniversary of their last Grand Prix victory. These very circuits were once battlegrounds where the Scuderia celebrated success last year. Now, they represent a crucible where Ferrari must fight not for victory, but for redemption, or at least a semblance of competitiveness.
The remaining six race weekends of the 2025 campaign present a formidable challenge. For a team with Ferrari`s legacy and the passionate Tifosi behind them, merely participating is not enough. The immediate goals are clear: understand the car`s current limitations, extract every ounce of potential, and minimize the performance gap to their rapidly accelerating rivals. More importantly, this period becomes a critical proving ground for their 2026 car development, ensuring that lessons learned (and perhaps, unlearned) from this season are meticulously applied.
While outright wins might be a distant dream for the remainder of the season, a strong performance, or even consistent podiums, would be a vital morale booster. It would demonstrate that the Prancing Horse can still gallop, even when burdened by unforeseen technical hurdles. The challenge is immense, the pressure is unforgiving, but in Formula 1, the only constant is change, and Ferrari`s loyal followers will be hoping for a radical one.
