Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna made an unusual public appearance at Capital Markets Day, openly acknowledging the team’s Formula 1 struggles and issuing a stern warning to drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

The Italian manufacturer’s leadership rarely addresses performance issues so directly, making Thursday’s intervention particularly significant.

Vigna admitted Ferrari had fallen short of their racing targets, specifically highlighting their failure to deliver in F1 whilst succeeding in endurance racing.

The public statement comes as Ferrari trails Mercedes by 27 points in the constructors’ championship, with their last Grand Prix victory drought extending through 2025.

“Last time we made a commitment to win in the races,” he said. “We succeeded with the 499P in endurance.”

Then, the chief was clear with his message: “In Formula One, we have to improve. We have to win. We owe it to our loyal fans all over the world.”

Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna made an unusual public appearance at Capital Markets Day, openly acknowledging the team’s Formula 1 struggles and issuing a stern warning to Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

 | REUTERS

His frank assessment acknowledged that whilst Ferrari has dominated endurance racing with three consecutive Le Mans victories, their F1 performance has far from matched those achievements.

In fact, it has been 17 years since Ferrari won a Constructors’ Championship, and 18 years since a Drivers’ Championship.

The CEO’s words represent a clear admission that the Scuderia isn’t meeting expectations in the sport that matters most to Ferrari’s identity.

Benedetto Vigna insisted Ferrari ‘must improve’ in their Formula One performances

 | PA

It appeared to be a clear warning in the direction of both Hamilton and Leclerc, who have underperformed this season.

The Monegasque driver has achieved a podium on five occasions this season, but has endured some nightmare weekends, most recently in Azerbaijan, where he finished in ninth.

Hamilton, though, is yet to make his first podium finish in Ferrari red, and his woes have been well-documented. Both teammates had a disappointing weekend in Singapore at the start of the month.

Lewis Hamilton endured yet another disappointing weekend in Singapore last week

 | REUTERSFerrari chairman John Elkann also spoke at the event, making personal commitments to Ferrari’s future success.

“My commitment is as president, as a majority shareholder, and above all as a person who has lived Ferrari as a lifelong passion,” he said.

“I am committed to ensuring that every decision we make can strengthen the uniqueness of Ferrari. I am committed to our people, whose talent and dedication are the greatest guarantee for our future.

“I am committed to our beloved Ferrari drivers, who entrust us with their dreams. And I am committed to our loyal fans, eager to see us win in F1, as we are winning in Endurance. And it is with pride that we took home the Le Mans trophy after three consecutive victories.”

While Hamilton and Leclerc have been the subject of much of the criticism, so too has team principal Fred Vasseu

Fred Vasseur is under pressure in his role as team principal at Ferrari despite signing a recent contract

 | REUTERSFresh speculation has now emerged connecting former Red Bull head Christian Horner with a potential Ferrari move, in a switch that could see Vasseur depart after three years at the helm.

According to F1 journalist Ralf Bach, chairman Elkann is exploring alternatives to current team boss Vasseur, despite his recent contract extension.

Bach reported that Elkann “is apparently really focused on securing Christian Horner,” who recently finalised his Red Bull departure terms. The German journalist suggested Horner accepted a reduced exit package to keep his options open for new opportunities.

Such a move could prove complicated, with Bach warning it might “close the door” on any future Max Verstappen signing, given the Dutchman’s camp’s well-documented tensions with Horner.