Ferrari’s ‘top brass’ are now using the Italian press to send a clear message to Fred Vasseur

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Ferrari are about to introduce their final major upgrade of the 2025 F1 season at the Belgian Grand Prix, as the Scuderia desperately try to close their deficit to McLaren.

The pride of Italy started the season believing that 2025 could finally be the year that Ferrari win their first F1 drivers’ championship since 2007 or constructors’ title since ‘08. But it has been far from the year the Scuderia sought, with McLaren 238 points ahead after 12 rounds.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are also only fifth and sixth in the drivers’ standings, and they even face 115 and 131-point deficits to Oscar Piastri prior to visiting Spa. So, Ferrari will have a rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian GP they hope can unlock their car’s potential.

Hamilton has struggled to adapt to the SF-25 since joining Ferrari as the rear of their car has often been unpredictable this term. The Scuderia also hope the update will let them run the SF-25 lower, having had to increase its ride height to prevent undue wear to the floor plank.

Ferrari’s ‘top brass’ are using the Italian press to make their disappointment clear

Ferrari’s rear suspension upgrade at Spa likely also features changes to the dampers, having modified the mounting point for the front wishbone to the gearbox. Maranello bosses hope the update in Belgium will finally see Ferrari win their first Grand Prix in the 2025 F1 season.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

The Scuderia are the only one of F1’s top four teams yet to win a Grand Prix or secure a pole position this term, despite sitting second in the constructors’ standings. So, MARCA reports that Ferrari’s ‘top brass’ are now using the Italian media to make their disappointment clear.

Maranello chiefs have not hesitated to ‘point the finger at everyone and everything’ for the failures that Ferrari have endured so far this season. The Scuderia are now simply desperate to take their first Grand Prix victory since Carlos Sainz won the 2024 Mexico City Grand Prix.

Having two drivers in Leclerc and Hamilton who consistently score a lot of points has helped Ferrari sit second in the standings. Mercedes trail by 12 points as George Russell has earned 147 of their 210 points, while Red Bull are 50 adrift as Max Verstappen has 165 of their 172.

Fred Vasseur hit out at the ‘disrespectful’ reports in Italy when his future was questioned

If Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli had not failed to score points in five of the past six Grands Prix or if Yuki Tsunoda had more than seven points since he joined Red Bull ahead of round three in March, then Ferrari’s situation would likely look a lot worse before round 13.

READ MORE: Who is Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur? Everything you need to know

The Scuderia’s struggles have also seen a raft of reports in the Italian press raise questions about numerous issues in Maranello, including that team principal Fred Vasseur had three races to save his job at Ferrari ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix – which he has survived.

Reports emerging that his position was at risk irked the Frenchman, but Vasseur hit out at the ‘disrespectful’ and ‘very harsh’ claims that other members of Ferrari’s staff also faced uncertain futures after multiple reports flooded out of Italy ahead of the race in Montreal.

In particular, Vasseur took issue with claims that Ferrari want to sign Enrico Balbo as a deal for Red Bull’s head of aerodynamics would create questions about the Scuderia’s own aero chief, Diego Tondi. Ferrari first hired Tondi in 2007 and he has risen through the ranks since.

There were even reports in Italy that Leclerc is open to leaving Ferrari due to their struggles, despite the 27-year-old only agreeing to a new contract in January 2024. Leclerc is locked in through 2029, but his terms include exit clauses that could allow the Monegasque to move.