Fred Vasseur reveals what Charles Leclerc is doing in Ferrari d…read more
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has opened up about what has been making the difference behind the scenes at Maranello, revealing that Charles Leclerc’s proactive role during team debriefs is playing a crucial role in his consistent performances—and, notably, in his ongoing advantage over teammate Lewis Hamilton. With Leclerc currently enjoying a strong run of form, including his third podium of the 2025 season at the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona, Vasseur has credited the Monegasque driver’s attention to detail and collaborative approach in technical meetings as one of the key factors behind his success.
Since the start of the season, Ferrari have been in a tightly contested battle with Mercedes and McLaren for second-best behind Red Bull. While Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated switch from Mercedes to Ferrari dominated the headlines earlier this year, it’s Leclerc who has so far adapted better to the team’s 2025 challenger. Vasseur has now explained that Leclerc’s leadership within the team—especially during race weekend debriefs—has been a defining edge.
“Charles is incredibly engaged during our technical meetings,” Vasseur told reporters after the Spanish Grand Prix. “He’s not just listening—he’s leading the conversation, asking the right questions, pointing out the tiniest details about tyre degradation, car balance, and strategy calls. He brings energy and experience but also makes sure that everyone from the engineers to the data analysts are on the same page. That kind of synergy is what’s helping him find more performance.”
According to insiders, Leclerc has been working particularly hard to bridge the gap between the drivers and the technical department. He has also taken the initiative to spend additional hours at the simulator, often collaborating directly with race engineers to anticipate car behavior across different circuits and setups. This level of involvement has helped Ferrari fine-tune strategies that play to Leclerc’s strengths—especially in qualifying sessions, where he continues to outpace Hamilton.
“His feedback is sharp,” Vasseur continued. “When Charles comes back from a run, he doesn’t just say the car is understeering or oversteering—he breaks down where, how much, and how it evolves over a stint. That gives the engineers something very specific to work with. We’ve seen tangible improvements in our performance because of this approach.”
In contrast, Lewis Hamilton is still adjusting to life at Ferrari after spending over a decade with Mercedes. Despite bringing a wealth of experience and seven world titles, Hamilton is yet to feel fully at ease with Ferrari’s machinery. His early struggles to match Leclerc’s pace have been attributed not only to differences in driving style but also to a less familiar relationship with the Ferrari engineering staff.
Hamilton himself has acknowledged the challenge of adapting to a new environment. “It’s definitely a learning curve,” he said recently. “Charles has been here for years, he knows how things work, he’s got relationships built up. I’m still building that foundation. It’ll come.”
While Hamilton remains a long-term asset for Ferrari, the team is currently benefiting from Leclerc’s immediate comfort and involvement. Ferrari’s technical director, Enrico Cardile, echoed Vasseur’s comments, emphasizing that Leclerc’s “constructive persistence” is helping refine the SF-25’s handling characteristics race by race.
With Ferrari now second in the constructors’ standings and Leclerc emerging as a reliable podium contender, Vasseur believes the internal competition between his two drivers is healthy and beneficial. “They’re both pushing each other. Charles is setting the pace right now, but Lewis is learning fast. It’s only a matter of time before he’s right there too.”
As the 2025 Formula 1 season progresses, Leclerc’s behind-the-scenes contributions may prove just as critical as his driving, especially in Ferrari’s quest to challenge Red Bull—and eventually return to championship-winning ways.
