In 2025, Ferrari once again began a Formula 1 season carrying enormous expectation. The arrival of Lewis Hamilton was seen as a statement of intent — a belief that experience, pedigree and leadership could finally help the Scuderia end a championship drought stretching back to 2008. Yet as the season unfolded, Ferrari found themselves competitive but not decisive, strong but not dominant.
While the championship battle raged at the front, Ferrari were left confronting a familiar reality: progress without payoff.
How the 2025 Season Ended
The 2025 Formula 1 season was ultimately won by Lando Norris, who claimed his first World Drivers’ Championship, while McLaren secured the Constructors’ Championship after a season of consistency and strategic excellence.
Ferrari finished the year fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, unable to convert pace into race victories. In the Drivers’ standings, Charles Leclerc ended the season fifth, while Lewis Hamilton finished sixth in his debut year with the Scuderia. Despite regular points finishes and podium appearances, Ferrari failed to register a race win, underlining the gap that still exists to the very top.
A Drought That Still Defines an Era
Ferrari last tasted world championship success in 2008, when they won the Constructors’ Championship, while Kimi Räikkönen’s Drivers’ title in 2007 remains the team’s most recent individual triumph. Since then, Formula 1 has evolved rapidly, and Ferrari’s attempts to reclaim supremacy have repeatedly fallen just short.
The End of an Era
Ferrari’s golden era in the early 2000s, led by Michael Schumacher and guided by Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, delivered unprecedented dominance. Between 1999 and 2004, Ferrari claimed six Constructors’ titles and five Drivers’ Championships, creating a benchmark that still defines the team’s identity.
The departure of those key figures, combined with sweeping regulatory changes, gradually eroded Ferrari’s advantage, allowing rivals such as Mercedes and Red Bull to rise.
The Vettel Years: Promise Without the Prize
Ferrari came closest to ending their title drought during the Sebastian Vettel era. The four-time world champion joined the team in 2015 and immediately restored Ferrari as a front-running force.
Vettel secured 14 Grand Prix victories for Ferrari and mounted serious championship challenges in 2017 and 2018, finishing runner-up in both seasons behind Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. Strategic misjudgments, reliability failures and costly errors ultimately denied Ferrari the championship, turning those seasons into painful what-if moments.
Strategic Errors and Decline
Ferrari’s struggles were often rooted not in speed, but execution. Questionable strategy calls, pit-stop issues and frequent leadership changes disrupted momentum. The low point came in 2020, when Ferrari slumped to sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, their worst finish in decades.
New Blood, Familiar Problems
The pairing of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz brought renewed optimism. Ferrari’s strong start in 2022, featuring race wins and poles, hinted at revival. However, reliability issues and strategic mistakes resurfaced, allowing rivals to capitalise.
Hamilton and the Reality of 2025
Hamilton’s arrival ahead of the 2025 season was one of the most significant moves in modern Formula 1. While his experience added stability and leadership, the season proved to be one of adjustment rather than instant success.
Hamilton delivered consistency and strong racecraft, while Leclerc continued to extract performance from the car, but Ferrari lacked the complete package needed to challenge for titles. The result was a respectable yet disappointing campaign, reinforcing how difficult it remains to transform potential into championships.
The Weight of Expectation
No team in Formula 1 carries the emotional and historical pressure Ferrari do. Every mistake is magnified, every near-miss scrutinised. Ferrari race not just for trophies, but for legacy — a privilege that also brings immense burden.
Still Waiting for Redemption
As 2025 draws to a close, Ferrari remain a team defined by belief rather than silverware. Investment continues, ambition remains undiminished, but the championship drought endures.
Nearly two decades after their last title, Ferrari continue the chase — proof that in modern Formula 1, history alone is never enough.
Photo credit: Ferrari X account
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