Peter Windsor expresses dissatisfaction with Charles Leclerc’s actions in F1…read more
Charles Leclerc had a difficult start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, finishing eighth in the Australian Grand Prix, behind several midfield competitors. Despite being the fastest Ferrari driver throughout the weekend, his race performance was far from ideal, marred by tyre degradation and communication issues. With the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari on the horizon, Leclerc was determined to make a strong impression, knowing that comparisons to the seven-time world champion would be inevitable. Ferrari showed promise on Friday, hinting at a potential battle with McLaren, but that performance faded as the weekend went on. Leclerc particularly struggled with severe graining on the Intermediate tyres, which negatively affected his race strategy.
The race-day communication between Leclerc and his engineer, Bryan Bozzi, also raised concerns. Midway through the race, Leclerc radioed in to report what he believed was a water leak, saying that “a lot of water” was entering his cockpit. Bozzi quickly responded, explaining that it was likely coming from Leclerc’s drinks bottle. In a sarcastic tone, Leclerc replied, “Let’s add that to the words of wisdom.” While some fans found the exchange amusing and labeled it an iconic moment, former Ferrari team manager Peter Windsor criticized Leclerc’s reaction, stating that the remark was unnecessary and dismissive.
On the Cameron CC podcast, Windsor expressed his belief that drivers should avoid making sarcastic remarks over the team radio during a Grand Prix. Instead, he suggested that any grievances should be addressed privately in post-race debriefs. Windsor argued that moments like Leclerc’s team radio exchange should be used for more constructive discussions, rather than generating social media attention. He also pointed out that Leclerc has a tendency to respond cynically when frustrated, which Windsor deemed unnecessary. He suggested that such behavior undermines the engineers, who are simply trying to help the team.
Leclerc’s 2025 season opener in Australia also included a spin while battling midfield drivers like Alex Albon and Yuki Tsunoda. Despite this, he managed to finish in eighth, narrowly staying ahead of Oscar Piastri, who had overtaken Lewis Hamilton for ninth after the final restart. Leclerc’s bold move against Hamilton helped him maintain his position. However, the overall performance left him seeking answers.
Leclerc acknowledged his own mistakes during the race but stressed that Ferrari must focus on two key areas ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix. He believes that strategic decisions played a major role in their inability to maintain a top-five position and called for a thorough review to prevent similar struggles in the upcoming races.
