Ferrari under fire for Singapore GP F1 struggles with “afraid to fail” criticism

2009 F1 world champion Jenson Button believes Ferrari’s struggles on the Singapore Grand Prix spotlight deeper points throughout the crew, warning {that a} worry of failure is holding them again.

Ferrari had one other disappointing qualifying session in Singapore, securing sixth and seventh on the grid for Sunday’s race.

The crew was comprehensively out-paced by Mercedes, who’re their most important rivals for second place within the 2025 F1 constructors’ championship.

Whereas Ferrari lacked outright tempo, Lewis Hamilton was sad with the crew operationally.

Hamilton didn’t have a recent set of tyres out there for his last run in Q3.

Equally, in Azerbaijan final trip, Hamilton was knocked out in Q2 after Ferrari refused to pit him for recent rubber.

Ferrari’s F1 title drought stretches again to 2008, once they beat McLaren to the constructors’ championship.

Since then, Ferrari have had plenty of close to misses, notably with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.

Ferrari completed 14 factors behind McLaren within the 2024 F1 constructors’ battle.

Consequently, many anticipated that with Hamilton’s arrival, Ferrari could be a powerful pressure for this 12 months’s title.

Ferrari haven’t lived as much as expectations, with their 2025 challenger displaying no apparent power.

Ferrari are the one crew inside the highest 4 of the constructors’ standings with out a race win.

Button factors finger at Ferrari tradition

With 2025 now successfully a write-off, consideration turns to subsequent 12 months and the brand new rules.

The stress can be on Ferrari and crew boss Frederic Vasseur to ship.

The modifications in technical rules ought to shake up the pecking order, giving Ferrari an opportunity to return to championship competition.

Button feels that Ferrari personnel are doubtlessly “afraid to fail,” and that’s “not a pleasant feeling to have.”

Talking after qualifying in Singapore, Button stated: “You may’t be afraid to fail, and that’s what it seems like at Ferrari. I believe everybody feels it’s simple to be pushed out the door, and it’s not a pleasant feeling to have.

“That you must have consistency all through the crew, it offers everybody confidence and the drivers confidence. So, I hope that’s not the case subsequent 12 months.

“I hope that they see out the entire 12 months collectively as a result of there’s going to be a lot change for the primary race, but additionally the twenty fourth race of the 12 months. A lot goes to alter all year long.

“It’s a nice crew, and I believe it has actually nice management, and also you don’t get a greater driver line-up than that.”