Ferrari’s Championship Drought: A Deep Dive into the Challenges Ahead

Ferrari’s struggle to return to the top of Formula 1 has been one of the most agonizing sagas in recent motorsport history. Since winning the Constructors’ Championship in 2008, the Scuderia has not been able to secure a single title. Despite the occasional promising season and some near-misses, the Italian giant has always fallen short, leaving fans frustrated and wondering what went wrong. The 2024 season was one of their closest calls yet, with just 25 points separating Ferrari from winning the team title, and many believed that 2025 could be their best shot. Yet, despite the optimism, Ferrari’s performance this season has not lived up to expectations, and the team’s struggles show no signs of abating.

In this article, we’ll explore why Ferrari’s championship drought has persisted, the challenges they face under team principal Fred Vasseur’s leadership, and why there’s mounting concern over the team’s future, especially when it comes to their new engine development.

The Problem at Ferrari: A Team in Transition

Fred Vasseur’s appointment as Ferrari’s team principal in December 2022 marked a new era for the Scuderia. Having led the Sauber F1 team for several years, Vasseur came into the role with a solid reputation and was seen as the man who could bring stability to a team that had been struggling to return to the top. His task was clear: rebuild Ferrari and return them to their former glory.

However, Vasseur soon learned that transforming Ferrari would not be an easy task. Despite his extensive experience, the challenges that awaited him at Maranello were more complex than anticipated. Ferrari, a team steeped in tradition, has a culture that is resistant to change. While Vasseur’s fresh perspective was seen as a strength, the internal resistance and bureaucracy he encountered have slowed down his efforts.

In interviews, Vasseur admitted that he underestimated how long it would take to rebuild the team. “The inertia at the beginning to rebuild something or to do things differently is taking time,” he said in an interview on the Beyond the Grid podcast. Despite these setbacks, Vasseur remains optimistic, stating that Ferrari is in a better position to challenge for the title compared to when he arrived. However, the question remains: Why hasn’t Ferrari been able to deliver the expected results?

Internal Resistance and Bureaucratic Challenges

One of the biggest challenges Vasseur has faced at Ferrari is navigating the complex internal politics. While the team principal holds the title of team boss, the reality is that many decisions at Ferrari are influenced by senior figures within the company, as well as the board. This power structure limits Vasseur’s freedom to make quick decisions, as he often has to work around the internal red tape that slows down the decision-making process.

In contrast, other teams like Mercedes, under Toto Wolff, operate with greater autonomy, allowing for faster decision-making and a more agile leadership style. Ferrari’s bureaucratic structure has become a major bottleneck, impeding Vasseur’s ability to make significant progress.

If the internal politics are indeed limiting Vasseur’s influence, then it’s understandable that Ferrari has not improved as expected under his leadership. However, there’s another possibility: perhaps Vasseur’s efforts have not been enough to address Ferrari’s deeper-rooted issues, such as their notorious communication problems, lack of coordination on the pit wall, and inconsistent upgrades to the car.

A New Engine, A New Set of Problems?

One of the most crucial aspects of Ferrari’s performance over the last few seasons has been their engine development. In F1, a powerful and reliable engine is the backbone of any championship-winning car, and Ferrari’s power unit has often been a weak point. After some promising performances in 2024, expectations were high that the team would continue to build on their momentum in 2025. However, it appears that Ferrari’s car has not been able to keep up with the likes of McLaren and Red Bull, leaving them trailing in the dust once again.

A significant part of Ferrari’s future depends on their power unit for the 2026 season, which is expected to bring massive rule changes, particularly in terms of aerodynamics and power units. The new regulations will see the introduction of five power unit manufacturers: Ferrari, Mercedes, Red Bull Powertrains, Honda, and Audi, with General Motors joining the fray in 2029. These changes have raised the stakes for Ferrari, who will need to develop a competitive engine to stay relevant in the new era of F1.

But behind the scenes, there are troubling signs that Ferrari’s engine department is in turmoil. In September 2023, Italian journalist Leo Tini reported that senior engineers responsible for the development of Ferrari’s 2026 power unit were set to leave the team. Wol Zimmerman and L. Schmidt, both key figures in Ferrari’s engine department, are reportedly joining Audi, which has raised concerns about Ferrari’s ability to deliver a competitive power unit for the new regulations. The loss of experienced engineers could be a blow to Ferrari, especially at a time when they can ill afford to lose any talent.

Moreover, it was revealed that Ferrari is behind schedule with their engine testing, with just three months to go until the homologation deadline. This delay could have serious consequences for their ability to compete in 2026 and beyond. If Ferrari fails to deliver a competitive engine, their prospects of returning to the top of F1 will be severely hindered.

A Three-Year Project: The Road Ahead

Vasseur has stated that rebuilding Ferrari is a long-term project that will take several years. “It’s probably a three-year project,” he said, acknowledging that changes at Ferrari cannot happen overnight. With next season set to be his fourth in charge, Vasseur believes that the work he has done so far will start to bear fruit in 2026. However, whether Ferrari fans have the patience to wait another three years for success remains to be seen.

The team will need to address a variety of issues if they are to become title contenders once again. In addition to their engine problems, Ferrari must also work on their internal communication, streamline their decision-making process, and ensure that their car upgrades are consistent and effective. If they fail to do so, they will continue to fall short of their ultimate goal of winning another championship.

The Whisper of a Crisis: What Does the Future Hold?

As Ferrari prepares for the massive changes coming in 2026, there is growing concern about the future of the team. If Vasseur and his team cannot deliver results in the next few seasons, there may be more than just technical problems at play. The whispers of discontent within Ferrari’s engine department suggest that all may not be well at Maranello. The departure of key engineers, combined with delays in the development of the new power unit, raises questions about the team’s ability to compete at the highest level.

If Ferrari’s engine issues persist, it could lead to even greater turmoil within the team. Engineers and other key personnel may begin to look elsewhere for opportunities, further destabilizing the team’s chances of success. For Ferrari, the road to recovery is long, and the path to championship glory may take longer than many expect.

Conclusion: Ferrari’s Future Is Uncertain

Ferrari’s championship drought has been painful for both the team and its loyal fanbase. The changes brought by Fred Vasseur were meant to reignite Ferrari’s title challenge, but so far, the results have been underwhelming. Despite the team’s promise at the end of 2024, they have failed to build on that momentum in 2025. Their engine problems, internal politics, and slow development process all point to a difficult road ahead.

As Ferrari navigates the new regulations and works to rebuild its team, the question remains: Can Ferrari return to the top? It may take several more years before we find out, but for now, the team and its fans are left hoping that the Scuderia can overcome its challenges and reclaim its rightful place among the best in Formula 1.