Montoya Slams Ferrari's 'Politics' as Their 'Biggest Problem'

Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya has launched a scathing critique of Ferrari, pinpointing "politics" as the "biggest problem" plaguing the Scuderia. His comments follow a disastrous double DNF for Ferrari at the São Paulo Grand Prix, which saw their gap to Mercedes widen to 36 points in the constructors' championship.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's ongoing struggles, underscored by a potential winless season, highlight deeper systemic issues within the team. Montoya's assessment, focusing on internal politics, suggests that the team's challenges are not just technical but deeply rooted in its operational culture. This internal strife could hinder their ability to fully leverage new talents like Lewis Hamilton and reverse their championship drought.

The details:

• Internal Pressure: Montoya interpreted Ferrari chairman John Elkann's previous critical remarks as a sign of internal pressure on the team. He believes Elkann's comments were an attempt to deflect internal issues externally.
• Disastrous Performance: The São Paulo Grand Prix resulted in a double DNF for Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton's car sustained damage from a Turn 1 contact with Sainz, leading to its early retirement.
• Car Performance Issues: Montoya specifically criticized the SF-25's performance, noting its poor handling over bumps. He described the car as inexplicably bad, even suggesting a lack of basic understanding within the team about its shortcomings.
• Calls for Change: Montoya urged Ferrari to acknowledge its failures, stating, "At some point, you have to let your guard down and say: 'Hey, I was wrong, what we’re doing isn’t working, let’s try something different.'" This implies a need for a fundamental shift in approach and strategy.
• Winless Season Prospect: With three races left in the 2025 season, Ferrari faces the grim prospect of a winless year, a repeat of their dismal 2020 season where they finished P6 in the constructors' championship.

Between the lines:

Montoya's strong words echo sentiments from other F1 figures, including former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner, who believed Elkann's public comments were inappropriate. This suggests a growing external perception of disarray within Ferrari's management and operations. The internal "politics" Montoya refers to likely involve power struggles, resistance to change, or a culture that stifles effective problem-solving, all of which contribute to their on-track performance issues.

What's next:

Ferrari's immediate challenge is to prevent a winless season and reassess its internal dynamics. The arrival of new talent like Hamilton for 2025, alongside a new team principal, will be closely watched to see if it can fundamentally alter the team's political landscape and bring about much-needed cultural and performance improvements. However, if Montoya's analysis is correct, superficial changes may not be enough to overcome deeply ingrained political issues.