All of us fooled ourselves. That, with out a lot doubt, is essentially the most correct solution to summarise Ferrari’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Regardless of the optimistic predictions going into the weekend and the constructive indicators from Friday’s free follow, the Scuderia as soon as once more did not ship a powerful consequence on residence soil. On Friday, the SF-25 appeared it could be aggressive, showing well-suited to the distinctive calls for of Monza due to particular set-up changes. The early steadiness raised hopes that Ferrari might a minimum of struggle for pole place and a podium end. Nonetheless, this development collapsed on Saturday: from FP3 onwards, the purple vehicles struggled, missing tempo over a single lap and unable to hitch the battle for pole. In qualifying, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton might do no higher than fourth and fifth, with sizeable gaps to McLaren and Max Verstappen’s Crimson Bull.
A troublesome race adopted on Sunday. The consequence, with out sugar-coating it, was dictated by the shortage of velocity within the automobile. Regardless of working with a low-downforce package deal, the Ferrari merely couldn’t match its rivals, neither in qualifying nor in race situations. Victory was by no means in play, with Verstappen dominating all 53 laps with ease. Ferrari drivers have been compelled to wrestle with a nervous automobile, doubtless unsettled by the very low downforce ranges, which created instability via the few however important corners of the Autodromo. Tyre administration was additionally a battle. Ultimately, Charles Leclerc completed fourth, over 20 seconds behind Verstappen, whereas Hamilton got here residence sixth, greater than 40 seconds adrift.
Given the expectations earlier than the weekend, the end result was disappointing. But, when judged in opposition to Ferrari’s precise efficiency degree, a fourth and sixth place could effectively have been the utmost the staff might realistically obtain. Leo Turrini, writing in his “Profondo Rosso” weblog, mirrored on the bitter actuality whereas already casting a watch towards 2026, not earlier than praising Max Verstappen’s beautiful show.
“It’s higher to instantly give Verstappen what belongs to Verstappen. At Monza, he received the quickest Grand Prix in historical past. It seems that in 2025 McLaren aren’t unbeatable each weekend. Max proved that, hats off. As for the Woman in Crimson, the statistics harm: zero victories, Lewis Hamilton by no means on the rostrum, Charles Leclerc in an emotional desert that can’t be sustained race after race. And to suppose, in qualifying, the staff even thought of slipstreaming—insanity. Monza confirms what has been clear for a while: Ferrari should already guess on subsequent 12 months. Leclerc’s phrases after the race have been a real manifesto of impotence, nearly a declaration of give up. What number of occasions have we informed ourselves that we’ll win subsequent 12 months? The time has come to lastly repay the followers for his or her unwavering ardour. P.S. I’ve been mates with Julio Velasco since 1985. Even again then, I informed him it was a disgrace he didn’t know Components 1. I haven’t modified my thoughts.”
Sep 10, 2025
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