Are Ferrari Facing BIG PROBLEMS in Monza?

Introduction

This piece expands on the latest paddock observations and race-weekend chatter from Monza. Monza is always a pressure cooker for Ferrari — their home crowd, the Tifosi, expect thunder and glory. This year, however, the narrative arriving from the Autodromo Nazionale Monza is less about victory parades and more about wake-up calls. In this article I’ll run through the core issues worrying Ferrari, the driver dynamics shaping their season, other notable stories from the paddock, and the broader health of Formula 1 in 2025.

Ferrari at a Crossroads

Ferrari enter Monza under strain. After 15 rounds, the team sits on 260 points — a significant drop from 364 points at the same point last year. That 104-point swing isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet; it’s a reduction in momentum, a potential hit to end-of-year prize money, and a growing frustration among fans who expect consistent front-running performance at their home race.

The two drivers’ contributions tell a sharper story. Charles Leclerc has 151 points, while Lewis Hamilton has 109, leaving Leclerc 38% ahead in points this season. Compare that to this point in 2024 when the gap between Leclerc and Carlos Sainz was only about 12% — the differential this year is notable. What’s more revealing is that similar gaps in previous years were less pronounced. In 2021, Leclerc scored 104 points and Carlos 112.5 at the same stage, which underscores how this season’s imbalance is unusual for Ferrari.

There are multiple layers to the problem: reliability, outright pace relative to McLaren, and driver adaptation. Hamilton is in a car he has never driven before, which always carries a learning curve. Reports from inside the garage suggest communication channels between him and his race engineer aren’t yet optimal. That on-track friction bleeds into overall team functioning, and it’s not just about charisma or media value — although Hamilton’s marketing draw is indisputable for Ferrari’s global brand.

Why Monza Amplifies the Pain

Monza is “the temple of speed” and Ferrari’s home turf. Expectations are elevated, the crowd is partisan, and mistakes are magnified. A driver pairing that is still finding its rhythm — combined with mechanical and strategic shortfalls — makes for a combustible mix when the Tifosi arrive expecting fireworks.

Compounding matters: bookmakers aren’t giving Ferrari the edge. While anything can happen in one race (Leclerc won Monza last year), bettors see the ongoing McLaren form and are pricing Ferrari as less likely to dominate. For a team that measures success not only in podiums but in optics and domestic morale, that’s a headache the hierarchy can’t ignore.

Driver Focus: Leclerc and Hamilton

Charles Leclerc remains Ferrari’s most consistent point earner this year, but even he has not been immune to the team’s problems. A combination of setup quirks and strategic calls have reduced opportunities to convert pace into results. Leclerc’s ability to extract the maximum from the car has shone through at key moments — like his impressive Monza performances — but the team as a whole currently lacks the consistency seen in prior seasons.

Lewis Hamilton’s move into the Ferrari seat came with sky-high expectations. His experience, racecraft, and global profile were all reasons many expected him to flourish quickly. The reality: adapting to a new car and new engineering relationships takes time. Sources in the paddock mention communication issues between Hamilton and his race engineer; that can slow progress because feedback loops — tyre usage, balance, setup changes — are essential to rapid development. Hamilton’s value to Ferrari extends beyond the cockpit, and for now, the team appears to be weighing short-term performance losses against the long-term marketing and brand benefits he brings.

Isack Hadjar’s Breakthrough and VCARB’s Rise

One of the feel-good stories from the recent rounds is Isack Hadjar’s first podium. He didn’t celebrate publicly on the Sunday night but the team made a point to mark the achievement in Monza — which is telling about how much a single result can buoy a smaller operation.

VCARB are enjoying a stellar season so far: 60 points at this stage versus 34 last year. That’s a meaningful jump not only competitively but financially. Prize money, sponsorship leverage, and team morale all benefit, however, this recent success is likely rather disappointing for Laurent Mekies who recently moved from VCARB to join Red Bull. It’s clear to see why smaller teams capitalizing on vehicle stability and development continuity is a powerful competitive advantage.

Lance Stroll and the Quiet Celebrations

Lance Stroll scored a solid P8 recently, but the context (a tight Zandvoort weekend and the quick turnaround of back-to-back races) meant the team didn’t throw a big party. One crew member joked that if that result had come in Mexico City, there might’ve been more celebration. Small gestures — a team dinner in Milan for his garage and close crew ahead of Monza — are reminders of the importance of team cohesion even when the driver’s results don’t make headlines.

Colton Herta’s Path to Formula 1

Colton Herta, the accomplished IndyCar driver, is drawing attention for more than his Indy performances. He’s been announced as a test driver for Cadillac and there’s strong speculation — supported by credible intel — that he could be racing in F2 next year. Why F2? He needs super license points to qualify for a potential F1 seat. F2 is a logical route to accrue those points and demonstrate single-seater adaptability.

There’s also the financial angle: reports suggest a $7,000,000 IndyCar salary could be in play for Herta if he makes certain appearances. From a team perspective, it’s often prudent to combine seasoned development drivers (names like Valtteri and Sergio mentioned in the paddock chatter) to get a new car sorted before throwing a rookie into the deep end. That approach prioritizes reliability and baseline performance, with talent being integrated once the platform is proven.

Daniel Ricciardo & Ford Racing Tease

There was a curious image of Daniel Ricciardo in front of a Ford Raptor and a “Ford Racing” sign — noteworthy because Ford Performance reportedly rebranded to Ford Racing. The paddock expects an announcement tied to Ricciardo sometime during the Monza weekend; speculation is rampant but the concrete reveal was being held for a specific Friday afternoon slot. Keep an eye on official channels for the confirmed details.

Lando Norris’ Valentino Rossi Jacket Moment

A lighter but hugely popular moment: Lando Norris wearing a jacket gifted by his childhood hero, Valentino Rossi. Fans loved the gesture — the photo quickly trended on social — and those moments of personality and nostalgia are part of what makes the race weekend so engaging for supporters beyond pure performance metrics.

Monza Behind the Scenes: Phones, Power Banks and Jackets

There’s always a lot happening off-track. Charles Leclerc’s turn-three photo session last week generated an immense social media bump: Leclerc gained over 150,000 followers while photographer Antoine Truchet increased his audience by about 15,000. Little activations like this can create massive visibility for both driver and team.

Other recognizable paddock moments included Adam McDade wrestling with a heavy carton of power banks (a small, amusing reminder of logistics needs during race weekends), and Pierre Gasly dropping a remote for his Alpine A290 — quickly fixed with no long-term damage. Details like new team jackets, trainers standing in (Kylie Tomic filling in for Angela Cullen for Hamilton) and equipment swaps all contribute to the rhythm of the weekend.

Bottas, Antonelli and the High-Speed Extras

Valtteri Bottas was spotted in a Mercedes race suit driving a 2022 race car dressed in a 2025 livery — a fun visual treat. He raced alongside Kimi Antonelli in an AMG GT S Edition V16 (limited to 30 units), which reportedly hit a top speed around 310 km/h. These non-championship displays bring glamour and spectacle to the paddock, showcasing the broader motorsport ecosystem that surrounds F1 weekends.

F1 in 2025: Attendance, Viewership and Demographics

Beyond the paddock, the global health of F1 looks remarkably strong. Here are some headline figures from the opening 14 races of the 2025 season:

• Total season attendance for the first 14 races: 3.9 million — the largest combined attendance at this stage in the calendar.
• 11 of the 14 events were sold out; 6 set new attendance records.
• Australia and Great Britain each reported race weekends with over 400,000 attendees; 4 events exceeded 300,000 attendees.
• Linear TV viewership for the Australian Grand Prix weekend exceeded 60 million cumulative viewers.
• Global fan base now exceeds 820 million, up 12% year-on-year and 63% versus 2018.

Demographics are evolving too. Forty-three percent of fans are under 35, up from 30% in 2018. The gender split is more balanced than many sports: 58% male, 42% female — an improvement from 2018’s 37% female share. Social media growth is robust: YouTube +19%, TikTok +35%, Instagram +23%, with Facebook and X each up 9% year-on-year. The cultural ripple from recent media (including the F1 film impact) is still unfolding and is likely to boost these numbers further later in the year.

Ferrari’s Two Suites at Monza — Symbolism and Scale

One small but telling detail at Monza: Ferrari runs two large, three-story hospitality suites — one for team and drivers and another for guests and functions. That’s more than most teams and it signals Ferrari’s scale: they operate as a sporting team and a global brand. But the question for 2025 is whether those optics can mask or compensate for on-track underperformance. The suites cost and host commercial relationships, but success is ultimately measured in results and championships.

Conclusion

Monza highlights both the passion and the pressure surrounding Ferrari in 2025. On one hand, the team’s global influence and brand power remain unmatched in motorsport. On the other, a tangible drop in on-track performance, driver adaptation issues, and improved competition from teams like McLaren and rising outfits such as VCARB present serious challenges.

For Ferrari, the short-term goals are clear: stabilize communication lines between drivers and engineers, extract consistent performance from the car, and regain momentum before the championship becomes a matter of damage limitation. For the rest of the paddock — from breakout stars like Isack Hadjar to IndyCar talents seeking F1 entry such as Colton Herta — Monza offers both spectacle and opportunity.

Monza is a test not just of speed but of character. Ferrari have the resources and history to bounce back, but the Tifosi — and the wider F1 world — will be watching closely.

FAQ

Why are Ferrari considered to be struggling in 2025?

Ferrari’s points total after 15 races (260) is down significantly from the same point in 2024 (364). Factors include inconsistent car performance, strategic calls, and a season where rivals — particularly McLaren — have been stronger. Driver adaptation (Lewis Hamilton in a new car) and communication issues have also been cited as contributing factors.

Is Lewis Hamilton underperforming at Ferrari?

“Underperforming” is relative. Hamilton is adapting to a car he had not driven before, and early-season communication issues with his engineering team have been reported. He remains a high-caliber driver, but the transition has taken longer than some expected. His wider value to Ferrari includes marketing and brand reach, which complicates simplistic performance assessments.

Will Charles Leclerc bounce back at Monza?

Yes — anything can happen in a single race weekend. Leclerc won Monza last year, and he remains Ferrari’s strongest point scorer this season. However, a win will depend on car setup, strategy, and whether Ferrari can match McLaren’s pace.

What’s the significance of Isack Hadjar’s podium?

It’s a major milestone for Hadjar and a boost for his team (VCARB), which has doubled its points relative to last year at this stage. That result impacts prize money, sponsorship interest, and team morale.

How healthy is Formula 1 overall in 2025?

Very healthy. Attendance through the first 14 races is a record 3.9 million, many events sold out, and global viewership and social media engagement are up substantially. The sport is drawing a younger and more gender-balanced audience, and commercial momentum remains strong.