After a dismal start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, Ferrari is under immense pressure as they return to home soil for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Despite a strong end to 2024 and the highly anticipated signing of Lewis Hamilton, the team has failed to deliver, lagging behind dominant McLaren and consistently outpaced by Red Bull and Mercedes.
Their Miami outing was particularly poor Hamilton finishing eighth and over a minute behind winner Oscar Piastri, while Charles Leclerc managed only seventh. As Ferrari prepares for one of its two home races, the timing couldn’t be worse.
High Hopes, Harsh Reality
Sky Sport Italia’s Vicky Piria believes the high expectations surrounding Ferrari have made the underperformance sting even more. She noted that the excitement around Hamilton’s arrival was massive, only to be dampened by the season’s results so far. Miami, she said, especially hit a nerve with fans.
Questions are being raised about Ferrari’s decision to overhaul a car that had shown strong pace at the end of 2024. Among the major changes was a switch in suspension systems, which Piria pointed to as a potential cause of the team’s current handling struggles.
Tifosi Faith Remains Strong
Despite the disappointment, Piria doesn’t believe Ferrari will face hostility from fans at Imola. The tifosi, she says, are too passionate to boo they’ll show up with hope, clinging to the belief that things can still turn around. She referenced how McLaren’s 2024 comeback began around this same time last year, suggesting that a turnaround isn’t out of reach.
Crucial Window Before 2026 Pivot
With sweeping regulation changes coming in 2026, the next few races — starting with Imola and Barcelona — are pivotal. Teams, including Ferrari, must decide soon whether to keep investing in 2025 or switch focus to developing next year’s car. Piria emphasized that any upgrades debuting in Imola must show clear progress or Ferrari risks falling further behind.
Pressure Mounts on Vasseur
Fred Vasseur, now in full control of Ferrari’s technical direction and driver lineup, faces growing scrutiny. Piria acknowledged that while his leadership showed promise, continued poor results like those in Miami could put his position at risk, similar to the pressure his predecessor Mattia Binotto faced.
Kimi Antonelli: A Bright Spot for Italy
Providing a welcome distraction from Ferrari’s struggles is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who has quickly captured Italian hearts in his rookie season with Mercedes. The 18-year-old’s surprise pole in the Miami Sprint and his charismatic embrace of Italian culture including bringing lasagna for his team has sparked a wave of “Kimi-mania.” With experience at Imola, he’s expected to shine again this weekend and may even challenge teammate George Russell.
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