Leclerc Admits Ferrari Have ‘Got to Work’ on Performance After P4 in Japan as H…read more
The 2025 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix proved a sobering experience for several top teams, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both offering candid reflections on their performances at Suzuka. As Max Verstappen stormed to yet another dominant victory for Red Bull, the weekend left Ferrari and Mercedes grappling with their shortcomings. While Leclerc delivered a solid drive to finish P4, he made it clear that the team still has significant work to do. Hamilton, meanwhile, described his race as “lonely” as he struggled to make progress, ultimately settling for seventh place.
Starting from eighth on the grid, Leclerc’s climb to fourth was a strong recovery, especially considering the fierce competition. The Monegasque driver executed a long first stint, managing tyre wear effectively and pulling off a series of calculated overtakes. Nonetheless, Leclerc was blunt in his post-race analysis, stating: “P4 is the best we could do today, but that’s not where we want to be. We’ve got to work. Red Bull is in a league of their own right now, and even McLaren seems to be edging closer to them. We’re just not quite there yet in terms of overall performance.”
Leclerc praised the team’s strategy and pit crew, but highlighted the limitations of the SF-25’s current package. Ferrari’s upgrades have delivered incremental gains in recent races, but Leclerc noted that they still lack the consistency and outright pace required to consistently challenge for podiums. “The car is decent in qualifying,” he added, “but over the race distance, we struggle with degradation. The balance shifts, and we lose a bit of grip. We need to address that if we want to fight at the front.”
Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, had a more challenging afternoon, finishing in P6 after an early battle with Mercedes’ George Russell and McLaren’s Lando Norris. While Sainz showed flashes of pace, Ferrari’s inability to sustain long-run performance again came under the spotlight.
At Mercedes, there was little cause for celebration either. Lewis Hamilton endured a quiet race, running largely alone after being unable to match the pace of the frontrunners. Despite a strong start that briefly saw him battling Sainz, Hamilton fell into a rhythm that left him stuck in no-man’s land. “It was a pretty lonely race,” Hamilton said. “We just didn’t have the pace today. I gave it everything, but the car wasn’t there to fight. We have a lot of work to do.”
Hamilton has been vocal throughout the season about the W15’s limitations, particularly its unpredictable handling and lack of downforce in high-speed corners—issues that were once again exposed at Suzuka. “This track punishes any imbalance,” Hamilton added. “It’s one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar, and it shows where your car really stands. Unfortunately, we’re still behind.”
Teammate George Russell finished just behind Hamilton in P8, after a closely-fought duel that saw both Mercedes drivers on different tyre strategies. Russell, too, admitted the car’s setup window remains narrow, with minor changes often producing major swings in performance.
The takeaway from Suzuka is clear: Red Bull remains the benchmark, with Max Verstappen continuing his dominant form. Behind them, McLaren has emerged as the most consistent challenger, while Ferrari and Mercedes face mounting pressure to close the gap. The midfield, led by Aston Martin and Alpine, continues to capitalize on the inconsistencies of the bigger teams.
With the season heading into its European stretch, time is running short for Ferrari and Mercedes to mount a serious challenge. For Leclerc and Hamilton—both multiple race winners and title contenders—the current performance gap is as frustrating as it is motivating. The Japanese Grand Prix served as a stark reminder: in Formula 1, speed is king, and there is no substitute for raw performance.
