Montoya Identifies 'Politics' as Ferrari's 'Biggest Problem'
Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has identified "politics" as Ferrari's most significant hurdle, following chairman John Elkann's controversial "talk less" comment to drivers. Despite a strong 2024 season, Ferrari remains winless this year, and Montoya believes internal strife, not just technical issues, is undermining their performance, especially evident in their car's handling and Lewis Hamilton's lack of podiums. He suggests a critical self-assessment is needed to move forward.
Juan Pablo Montoya, a former F1 rival, has pinpointed "politics" as the "biggest problem" plaguing Ferrari, following a controversial statement from the team's chairman, John Elkann. This comes after a challenging season where the Scuderia has failed to secure a Grand Prix win and recently endured a double DNF at the Brazilian GP.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's ongoing struggles to return to championship contention have been a consistent narrative in Formula 1. Montoya's insight suggests that internal political strife, rather than purely technical deficiencies, might be undermining their efforts. This perspective is critical because it highlights an organizational issue that could be hindering the team's ability to maximize its potential and support its high-caliber drivers.
The details:
- Following a dismal double DNF at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Ferrari chairman John Elkann reportedly told drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to "talk less."
- Montoya interprets Elkann's statement as a reaction to "internal pressure," suggesting the chairman is deflecting criticism outwards.
- "The biggest problem at Ferrari is politics, a lot of politics," Montoya stated to AS Colombia, emphasizing an pervasive internal issue.
- Despite high hopes after finishing just 14 points behind McLaren for the constructors' title in 2024, Ferrari has yet to win a Grand Prix this season, with only three rounds remaining.
- Lewis Hamilton, in his inaugural season with the team, has not secured a Grand Prix podium, underscoring the team's performance woes.
- Montoya also critically assessed the SF-25 car's performance, particularly Hamilton's car in Brazil, which suffered damage after a Turn 1 contact with Carlos Sainz.
- He observed from onboard footage that Hamilton's Ferrari was noticeably poor over bumps, expressing bewilderment at the team's apparent inability to address fundamental issues.
What's next:
Montoya's strong critique suggests that Ferrari needs a fundamental internal shift to overcome its deep-seated issues. If the team continues to struggle with internal politics and car performance, it will be challenging for them to capitalize on their strong driver lineup and world-class resources. The pressure will mount on team leadership to acknowledge and rectify these problems, potentially leading to significant organizational changes if their winless streak persists into the next season.