Button warns Ferrari fear culture, Herbert urges leadership shakeup

Jenson Button warned at the Singapore Grand Prix that Ferrari appears to be operating under a culture of fear that could undermine its chances as Formula 1 prepares for sweeping 2026 rule changes, while former driver Johnny Herbert urged the team to consider a dramatic leadership change. Button, speaking trackside after a mixed weekend for the Scuderia, said the environment at Maranello feels like staff are constantly at risk of being dismissed and that this inhibits risk taking and long-term development.

Ferrari enters the closing stages of the 2025 season still without a victory and sitting third in the Constructors standings behind champions McLaren and Mercedes. That run has included on-track frustrations such as qualifying struggles and a post-race penalty in Singapore that dropped Lewis Hamilton from fifth to eighth. Team principal Frederic Vasseur has signed a multiyear contract extension intended to provide stability, but internal unease has persisted.

"You cannot be afraid to fail," Button said. "It feels like it is easy to be pushed out the door, and it is not a nice feeling to have. You need consistency throughout the team. It gives everyone confidence, and the...