Montezemolo criticizes Ferrari's leadership and performance amid Azerbaijan Grand Prix challenges
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 26, 2026, 7:45 AM
Last updated Sep 26, 2026
Luca di Montezemolo recently expressed serious concerns regarding Ferrari's current state in Formula 1, stating that they are 'no longer there, not even close' to championship contention. In an interview with AS, he highlighted a significant lack of leadership in the team and the distance from genuine competitiveness, noting that Ferrari has not secured a drivers' title since 2007. Montezemolo's comments come as the team faces difficulties during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, where Mercedes' George Russell achieved pole position, followed by Charles Leclerc in second. The criticism adds pressure to team principal Fred Vasseur as speculation around his future grows. Former F1 drivers have suggested that while Vasseur is not the main issue, leadership remains a critical factor for the team's success.
- •Montezemolo states Ferrari lacks leadership and competitiveness.
- •Ferrari has not won a drivers' championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
- •George Russell of Mercedes takes pole position in Azerbaijan GP.
- •Speculation around Fred Vasseur's future as team principal intensifies.
- •Former drivers emphasize leadership as crucial for Ferrari's success.
- 7:45 AMYahoo Sports — Montezemolo delivers damning Ferrari verdict: 'They're no longer there, not even close'
"Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo has delivered a stinging verdict on the current state of the Scuderia, telling Spanish newspaper AS that the team is suffering from a glaring lack of leadership and is "no longer there, not even close" to competing for championships. The 79-year-old, who oversaw Ferrari through its extraordinarily successful Michael Schumacher era, said what troubles him most is no longer simply the absence of titles but how far the team has fallen from genuine conten
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