There was a time when the words Forza Ferrari were not just a rallying cry for the Tifosi, but a threat to every other team on the Formula 1 grid. In an era dominated by engineering prowess, ruthless execution and fierce loyalty, Scuderia Ferrari embodied the pinnacle of racing excellence. Today, however, those words have become more of a nostalgic chant than a warning bell. Despite boasting enormous resources, one of the most passionate fan bases in sport and a legacy steeped in racing folklore, Ferrari continues to flounder. This is certainly not due to a lack of talent, but rather a systemic mismanagement, strategic inconsistency and a team identity crisis that seems to deepen with each season that passes.
Ferrari’s Golden Boy is Tarnishing
When Charles Leclerc burst onto the Formula 1 scene with Sauber in 2018, his potential was undeniable. Fast, fearless and refreshingly honest, the Monegasque driver represented a new generation of talent that could challenge the established elite. Ferrari’s decision to promote him in 2019 was both bold and forward-thinking. And it paid off quickly: Leclerc outperformed four-time World Champion Sebastian Vettel, securing two wins in his first season with the team, including an emotional victory at Monza, demonstrating the raw qualities of a future champion.
But Ferrari’s ability to cultivate talent has always been contingent on the team around the driver. Leclerc has, more often than not, had to compensate for Ferrari’s shortcomings. Questionable pit calls, like in Monaco in 2022, car development issues, causing an array of DNFs and DNSs, such as Baku 2022, and a more recent strategic blunder at the Miami GP 2025, have marred his campaigns. From being sent out on used tires in crucial qualifying sessions to poor in-race decision-making that cost him podiums and wins, Leclerc has often looked like a lion trapped in a bureaucratic cage.
His 2022 season was a case in point. Armed with a competitive car for the first time in years, Leclerc started strong, winning in Bahrain and Australia. Yet, a mixture of mechanical failures and baffling race-day calls, such as the infamous decision to stay out on degrading tires in Hungary, derailed what could have been a serious title challenge. By the end of the season, Ferrari had handed both championships to Red Bull with astonishing efficiency.
Leclerc has remained loyal, even extending his contract, but the cracks are showing. His visible frustration over team radio, his body language during press interviews and his cautious optimism speak volumes. He is a driver worthy of championships, but Ferrari continues to supply him with excuses instead of results.
A Statement Signing or a Desperate Move?
In early 2024, the motorsport world was stunned by the announcement that Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and one of the most successful drivers in history, would be joining Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, where he had built a dynasty, was significant. Whether driven by diminishing faith in Mercedes’ recovery or a desire to etch his name into Ferrari lore, his arrival was both a media triumph and a logistical challenge for the Scuderia. For many, this was a dream come true; Hamilton in red, chasing his eighth title with the most iconic team in the sport. For others, it was a sign that Ferrari had run out of ideas.
On paper, Hamilton and Leclerc form the most talented driver pairing on the grid. But the internal dynamics could prove volatile. Will Ferrari be able to manage two drivers both capable of leading a title charge? Their recent history suggests otherwise as Ferrari has struggled to balance intra-team competition, often to the detriment of both drivers. The Vettel-Leclerc era ended with tension and the Sainz-Leclerc partnership, though more harmonious, has still been marred by favouritism debates.
More critically, will Hamilton’s arrival actually solve Ferrari’s core problems? Yes, a driver as talent as him can extract performance from a difficult car but he cannot fix strategic incompetence, unreliable car development or the tendency of Ferrari’s management to overpromise and underdeliver.
The Fork in the Road
It’s been over a decade since Ferrari won a Constructors’ Championship and 17 years since their last Drivers’ title with Kimi Räikkönen. In that time, they’ve cycled through team principals from Stefano Domenicali to Mattia Binotto, and now Fred Vasseur, each promising a new era and each ultimately succumbing to the same inertia.
Ferrari’s woes are not limited to race-day errors either. Their technical development cycle often lags behind their rivals. They start seasons strong, only to be out-developed by Red Bull, Mclaren and Mercedes. Their inability to adjust to the budget cap era and the shift toward ground-effect aerodynamics leaves them exposed. Even when they have the pace, reliability issues and communication breakdowns scuttle their chances.
Moreover, Ferrari’s leadership has historically been reactive rather than proactive. Decisions appear driven by politics and public image rather than sound long-term planning. The departure of engineers, the revolving door of strategists and inconsistent innovation reflect a team constantly trying to patch over deep foundational issues instead of rebuilding sustainably.
Ferrari’s current situation is untenable. Despite boasting two generational talents in Leclerc and Hamilton, the team’s inability to execute at the highest level remains a bottleneck. If 2025 does not produce meaningful results, not just a few race wins, the credibility of the brand will ultimately take a deep hit.
Ferrari must embrace radical change. That means empowering technical leadership without political interference, streamlining race-day operations and fostering a culture of accountability. The pressure from fans and media is relentless, but Ferrari must resist the urge to chase headlines and instead invest in building a sustainable winning structure. The arrival of Hamilton may provide a short-term morale boost, but unless the team can resolve its systemic issues, the pairing with Leclerc could become yet another case study in unrealised potential.
Forza Ferrari, but for how long?
The words Forza Ferrari still inspire millions but inspiration alone doesn’t win championships. Ferrari must decide whether it wants to live on nostalgia or rewrite its future. The ingredients are there: talented drivers, passionate fans and a legacy that still commands respect. But without vision, leadership and consistent performance, Ferrari risks becoming a sad tale of greatness lost in its own myth. Hamilton’s arrival, Leclerc’s persistence and the looming expectations of a starved Tifosi base have set the stage. The question now is not whether the prancing horse can run again, but rather, after all these years, if it remembers how to.