Charles Leclerc has tempered expectations around Ferrari’s latest upgrades, admitting they fall short of what’s needed to regularly challenge McLaren in the 2025 Formula 1 season.
The Monegasque driver secured a podium finish at the Belgian Grand Prix, fending off Max Verstappen to claim third place behind race winner Oscar Piastri and runner-up Lando Norris. Starting from pole after Verstappen’s grid penalty, Leclerc held his ground but couldn’t match the McLarens’ outright speed.
Speaking after the race, Leclerc praised the new rear suspension package introduced at Spa-Francorchamps, calling it a clear step forward. “It’s really positive,” he said. “We can see the gains, especially in how the car handles different ride heights.”
Yet he was blunt about the limitations. “To fight McLaren every weekend? We’re not there yet,” Leclerc added. “They’ve been quicker overall, and we need more developments to close that gap consistently.”
Ferrari’s upgrades aimed to address handling issues that plagued recent races, including a double Q2 exit at Imola earlier in the year. Team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who finished fifth, echoed the sentiment, noting the changes helped but urged further tweaks before the summer break.
With McLaren dominating recent rounds, Ferrari sits third in the constructors’ standings, trailing Red Bull and the papaya squad. Leclerc, currently fourth in the drivers’ championship, remains optimistic but realistic. “We’re on the right path,” he said. “More work ahead to turn these steps into wins.”
Sources (click to expand):
https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/charles-leclerc-2025-ferrari-f1-disappointment-imola-qualifying/,
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https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/hamilton-and-leclerc-give-verdicts-on-ferrari-upgrade-for-belgian-grand-prix.6xmUHsPXrWrljn05mnhqWt,
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/leclerc-insists-ferrari-moving-in-right-direction-after-austria-podium-but.40erQ2YRQm6qCzPlmYHofO,
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https://racingnews365.com/charles-leclerc-hands-ferrari-blow-after-upgrades-boost
