Vasseur Rejects « Disaster » Label for Ferrari’s 2025 Season

Short Excerpt: Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 campaign, though disappointing and lacking victories, is not seen as a disaster by team boss Frédéric Vasseur, who calls the situation « not a total disaster. »

Vasseur Defends Ferrari’s 2025 Season Amidst Challenges

Ferrari’s 2025 Formula 1 season has been tough, with the team slipping to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship and failing to secure a race victory so far. Despite this, team principal Frédéric Vasseur refuses to call the season a « disaster. » Instead, he has emphasized that although recent weekends have been challenging, the overall campaign should not be viewed as a complete failure.

“We are fourth, but we were second two weeks ago. Calling it a disaster is wrong. We’ve scored points every weekend—this is a mixed season, not a collapse.”

Performance and Points: A Mixed Picture

While the team’s position is currently fourth, Vasseur highlighted that Ferrari has managed to score points consistently, unlike scenarios where a team would fail to score altogether. The last two race weekends yielded fewer points for Ferrari — only six or seven each — but earlier in the season, the performance was stronger, and the team was ahead of rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull. This nuanced performance is what leads Vasseur to reject the term « disaster, » preferring instead to describe the season as « mixed » with missed opportunities rather than a total collapse.

Factors Behind Ferrari’s Performance

Vasseur acknowledged some of the difficulties faced by the team, such as uncertainty about tire life and strategic decisions made during races. For example, debates on the optimal pit stop timing and tire management have affected race outcomes, but hindsight makes these decisions easier to critique than to execute in real time. Furthermore, despite Ferrari’s struggles, there is confidence within the team about ongoing efforts and incremental progress, rather than drastic overhauls or acknowledging a catastrophic failure.

“We’ve had tyre-life uncertainty and a couple of strategic calls that didn’t work, but we’re improving step-by-step. We don’t need a revolution—just refinement.”

Team and Driver Perspectives

Drivers and fans alike expressed frustrations over the season’s lack of wins and fluctuating performances, but Vasseur noted that within the team, the spirit and determination remain high. Talks after races can be tough and critical, reflecting the high standards Ferrari sets for itself. That said, Vasseur emphasizes the importance of measured evaluations and maintaining focus on continuous improvement instead of succumbing to dramatic labels or panic.

Outlook for Ferrari

As the 2025 season approaches its final races, Ferrari finds itself trailing Red Bull by 13 points despite Red Bull effectively running with one car. The situation is undoubtedly not ideal, but Vasseur’s stance is that the story is still being written and the team must keep improving steadily. Ferrari’s history shows resilience and ability to rebound from slow starts, which the principal believes remains possible for the remainder of the year and the future seasons.

“We’re 13 points behind Red Bull with two rounds left—far from over. Ferrari has always bounced back; we’ll keep our heads down and push.”