Leclerc opens up about ’emotional’ Ferrari change after…read more
Charles Leclerc has opened up about the emotional and mental progress Ferrari has made ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, expressing confidence that the team has become more “solid” compared to a year ago. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365, the Monegasque driver shared his thoughts on how the mentality within the Scuderia has evolved, which he believes could play a crucial role in their quest for a title after a long drought.
Leclerc acknowledged that while Ferrari has made notable progress in its approach, the team’s success in 2025 still hinges on how the car performs in comparison to its rivals, particularly Red Bull and McLaren. Despite the fact that Ferrari finished 2023 with a promising performance, they struggled to maintain momentum into the following season. Even though they started 2024 with what was considered the second-best car behind Red Bull, McLaren ultimately surpassed them, proving to be a key challenger throughout the year. Ferrari’s strong finish, while securing them second place in the Constructors’ Championship, highlighted their inability to fully capitalize on the early advantages they had over their competition.
For the upcoming 2025 season, Ferrari’s lineup has also changed, with eight-time Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton joining the team. His experience and knowledge are seen as valuable assets as Ferrari aims to end its 17-year title drought. Although the team has the potential to challenge for the championship, Leclerc is cautious about making bold predictions, acknowledging the uncertainties of F1 where the performance of rival teams such as Red Bull and McLaren is always a factor. “Formula 1 is a relative sport,” Leclerc stated, “and we can only know what we do ourselves.” He expressed confidence that the team is on the right path, focusing on their own development and trying to achieve the best possible results. However, Leclerc emphasized the importance of keeping expectations grounded, given the unpredictable nature of the sport and the strength of their rivals.
One of the key areas where Leclerc sees improvement at Ferrari is in the team’s mentality. According to him, the emotional toll of poor results has been significantly reduced, while the passion and motivation to succeed remain intact. Leclerc explained that Ferrari has always had immense passion, with every member of the team willing to put in extra effort to drive improvements. However, the downside of this passion has been that poor results in the past have affected the team more deeply due to their emotional attachment to the brand. Leclerc believes that Ferrari has now struck a better balance, retaining the passion without letting negative outcomes impact the team’s overall mentality. He sees this shift as a positive step forward and believes it could be the crucial difference that helps Ferrari finally achieve the success they have been chasing for years.
As Ferrari enters the 2025 season with renewed optimism and a stronger team dynamic, Leclerc is focused on contributing to the squad’s success, and while aware of the challenges that lie ahead, he remains confident that the team’s improved mental approach will play a pivotal role in their pursuit of the Formula 1 championship.
