Charles Leclerc issues Ferrari plea to fix major weakness
Charles Leclerc is seeking improvements from Ferrari regarding its pace in changing weather conditions, following a disappointing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. The team’s struggles were evident in the opening round, where Leclerc finished eighth and his teammate Lewis Hamilton secured the final point on offer in his debut with the team.
The Australian Grand Prix was held in wet conditions, with drivers briefly switching to dry tires under a safety car before heavy rain returned in the final laps. Ferrari’s inability to match the pace of McLaren and Red Bull was striking, leaving Leclerc puzzled by the significant margin.
“We were pretty similar to Mercedes in front, but that was it,” Leclerc explained to media, including RacingNews365. “McLaren and Red Bull were so much faster. There’s a lot of work to be done. Why [Ferrari struggle], especially in those conditions, I don’t know yet.”
Leclerc revealed that Ferrari’s struggles in changing conditions are not a new phenomenon, but rather a weakness that has plagued the team for several years. “It’s been a weakness that we’ve had [for] quite a few years,” Leclerc acknowledged. “We’ve been quite up and down whenever it was raining and damp. We’ve got to work on that.”
One of the key moments in the Australian Grand Prix was Ferrari’s decision to keep its drivers out on the track with dry tires in the hope of the gamble paying off in the final laps. However, the team was ultimately forced to concede defeat and make a pit stop, which cost them even more points and dropped both drivers to the fringes of the points.
“It was definitely a missed opportunity,” Leclerc reflected on the race. “I mean, especially in those conditions, when it’s changing and you don’t have the pace, it’s there that you’ve got to score the points. And we didn’t. We were not fast enough at the beginning of the race when the race was kind of boring. Once it mattered to make the right choice, we didn’t.”
Leclerc’s candid assessment of Ferrari’s performance highlights the team’s need to address its weaknesses in changing conditions. With the 2025 season still in its early stages, Ferrari has ample opportunity to work on its issues and close the gap to its rivals. However, the team’s ability to adapt and improve will be crucial in determining its success this season.
