After Ferrari had taken the 2024 constructors’ championship to the wire, with simply 14 factors between it and eventual winner McLaren after the Abu Dhabi finale, Charles Leclerc anticipated huge issues from 2025. In fact, the eye was all on the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, however this suited the Monegasque simply nice; he was free to get on along with his preparations for the brand new season out of the limelight.
Ferrari felt that it had run out of highway with final 12 months’s SF-24, and took a extra revolutionary strategy to its 2025 automobile. An entire evaluate of its suspension bundle was a calculated threat at Maranello, and one which in the end didn’t repay; it was tough for the drivers to seek out consistency with the brand new SF-25. By the 12 months, the frustration on Leclerc’s face grew to become increasingly palpable with every passing spherical, and the group’s choice to show off the faucets on improvement early on ensured that the brand new automobile was left underbaked.
Leclerc nonetheless gave every part in attempting to attract outcomes out of an oft-difficult bundle. On common, he was the fifth-best qualifier throughout the season, even taking a shock pole in Hungary because the McLarens’ tempo disappeared amid the altering wind course. There have been different front-row begins in Monaco, Austria and Mexico. Leclerc’s qualifying tempo has by no means been doubtful, nonetheless.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Picture by: Joe Portlock / LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
He was additionally accountable for all of Ferrari’s GP podium finishes, and demonstrated a really clear edge over Hamilton from the get-go because the seven-time champion struggled to adapt. There was a flash of late-season efficiency at Austin and in Mexico, the place Ferrari stunned itself with efficiency in lower-grip circumstances, resulting in Leclerc’s stellar defence in opposition to Lando Norris on the Circuit of The Americas. There was additionally the drive at Barcelona, the place Leclerc suffered in qualifying however rocketed as much as third, albeit after swapping locations with Hamilton.
Arguably, Leclerc was the only constructive in Ferrari’s dismal 12 months. His romantic ambition to be a champion with the Prancing Horse may solely ever stay that, except the group can start 2026 all weapons blazing.
We wish to hear from you!
Tell us what you want to see from us sooner or later.
– The Autosport.com Group
