Charles Leclerc’s Uphill Battle: Inside Ferrari’s Challenging 2025 Formula 1 Campaign

Ferrari’s Unexpected Struggles in 2025

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari are experiencing a difficult 2025 Formula 1 campaign, falling short of expectations after nearly winning the constructors’ championship in 2024, where they missed out by just 14 points to McLaren.

The team has struggled to maintain its competitive edge, lagging behind not only McLaren but also Mercedes and Red Bull at various rounds. With the season well underway, Ferrari has yet to secure a race win, with Leclerc managing only three podiums while his new teammate Lewis Hamilton has not finished higher than fourth.

Key Challenges and Performance Issues

Leclerc has been frank about the team’s difficulties, noting that despite putting everything into his performances, the car’s capabilities are falling short. He has specifically pointed to issues with handling, experiencing either ‘massive oversteer or massive understeer’ and lacking the necessary grip to compete with the frontrunners.

The team’s biggest weakness has been identified in slow-speed corners, with Ferrari currently sitting fourth in the constructors’ championship. Despite these challenges, there have been bright spots, including Leclerc’s second-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix behind Lando Norris.

Looking Ahead

Looking forward, Leclerc has identified three remaining opportunities for potential victories this season: the Azerbaijan, Singapore, and Las Vegas Grands Prix. However, he acknowledges that Ferrari still enters these races as the third favourite.

Despite the disappointing results, Leclerc maintains perspective, stating that while none of the team is satisfied with current performance levels, the season isn’t entirely disastrous. As he points out, ‘McLaren has done a huge step forward compared to last year, a lot more than anyone else,’ and Ferrari needs to understand and replicate this progress to return to the front of the grid.