10 Times Ferrari Got Humbled in F1 History
10. 2022 British GP – Leclerc Left Out to Dry
At Silverstone, Charles Leclerc led comfortably under a late safety car. Ferrari chose not to pit him for fresh tires while everyone behind him did. Within laps, he was swallowed by Sainz, Perez, and Hamilton — dropping from a sure win to fourth. Fans and pundits alike were stunned at the pit wall’s indecision. Another race, another strategy blunder — and another humbling reminder that Ferrari’s worst enemy is often itself.
9. 2019 Brazilian GP – Leclerc and Vettel Collide
Ferrari’s intra-team tension hit its peak in São Paulo when Leclerc and Vettel made contact on the straight, puncturing both cars and ending their races instantly. Two teammates, two DNFs, and zero points. The incident symbolized Ferrari’s loss of control — and a leadership crisis on full display.
8. 2020 Season – The Year of the Red Disaster
After years of success, Ferrari’s 2020 car — the SF1000 — was a nightmare. They went from fighting for wins to struggling to make Q3. Power unit restrictions, aero issues, and internal friction made it their worst season in decades. Sixth in the Constructors’ — behind Racing Point and McLaren — was a historic low for the Prancing Horse.
7. 1999 British GP – Schumacher Breaks His Leg
Michael Schumacher’s crash at Silverstone not only broke his leg — it broke Ferrari’s season. A stuck brake pedal sent him flying into the barriers at 130R, forcing him to miss six races and ending Ferrari’s bid for their first title in 20 years. It was a painful and humbling reminder that even the greatest car and driver combination can’t escape disaster.
6. 2022 Monaco GP – Double Pit Stop Disaster
Ferrari looked set for a 1–2 with Leclerc and Sainz at Monaco. Then, chaos struck on pit wall. Leclerc was told to “box” — then “stay out” — then “box again,” all within seconds. The confusion cost both drivers track position, and Red Bull stole the win. Ferrari had beaten themselves through indecision, in the one race where perfection matters most.
5. 2017 Singapore GP – When Teammates Took Each Other Out
On a wet start under the lights, Sebastian Vettel squeezed Kimi Räikkönen toward Max Verstappen — and all three collided before Turn 1. Ferrari eliminated both its cars within seconds of the start in a championship-critical race. It was humiliation under pressure — and the moment Vettel’s title hopes against Hamilton truly imploded.
4. 2005 United States GP – The Race That Shouldn’t Have Happened
At Indianapolis, all Michelin teams withdrew over safety concerns, leaving only six Bridgestone runners — both Ferraris among them. Schumacher won, but fans booed mercilessly as Ferrari’s victory came in a race that felt meaningless. It wasn’t a Ferrari failure on track — but the team’s refusal to compromise in a sporting crisis tarnished their reputation worldwide.
3. 2019 German GP – A Comedy of Errors at Home
In front of home fans at Hockenheim, Ferrari looked unstoppable in qualifying — until everything fell apart. Leclerc’s car failed before Q3, Vettel started from the back, and in the race, both cars slid off the wet track in embarrassing fashion. What should have been a home celebration turned into one of Ferrari’s most chaotic weekends in modern history.
2. 2008 Singapore GP – The Night of the “Crashgate” Chaos
During the inaugural Singapore GP, Felipe Massa looked set to win — until Renault’s infamous crash handed advantage to Fernando Alonso. When Massa pitted under safety car, Ferrari’s new “traffic light” system failed disastrously. He drove off with the fuel hose still attached, destroying his race and ultimately costing him the world title by a single point. It was humiliation on global television — a cruel twist of fate and flawed tech.
1. 2010 Abu Dhabi GP – The Strategy That Lost the Title
Fernando Alonso entered the season finale leading the championship — all he needed was a solid finish. But Ferrari made one of the worst strategy calls in F1 history, pitting Alonso early to cover Mark Webber. The move trapped him behind Vitaly Petrov’s Renault for the rest of the race, destroying his title hopes. It wasn’t just a loss — it was a strategic meltdown that still haunts Ferrari’s legacy.
