Leclerc on Ferrari’s growth: ‘We’re fighting for the…….read more
Ferrari has been without a world championship for almost 20 years, with their last driver’s title coming in 2007 and their last constructors’ title in 2008. However, they are determined to make a strong push for the 2025 season. In 2024, Ferrari came close to challenging McLaren for the title, and they aim to continue that momentum into the next season. The 2025 season is pivotal for Ferrari, as they not only have Charles Leclerc aiming for his first world drivers’ championship but also Lewis Hamilton pursuing his eighth. Additionally, the 2025 season marks the end of the current regulations, which Ferrari hopes to capitalize on before the new rules take effect.
Following a disappointing 2024 where they narrowly missed out on the constructors’ title, Leclerc reflected on Ferrari’s progress and growth as a team. While the 2024 result was a setback, Leclerc remains optimistic about the team’s future. “We’ve had two seasons where we’ve been fighting for the championship,” Leclerc said, referencing Ferrari’s challenges in 2022, where they were briefly in contention but fell off later in the season. He emphasized the progress Ferrari has made, both in terms of team dynamics and his own development as a driver.
Leclerc pointed out that the team has learned a lot over the past few years. Many members of the team have changed since their last title challenge, meaning many were experiencing a battle for the top spots with Ferrari for the first time. Despite this, the team has grown and improved steadily, with Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz pushing Ferrari in the right direction. Leclerc acknowledged that while they came close in 2024, momentum can be unpredictable. “Momentum is not really a thing,” he said, pointing out that past seasons had shown Ferrari finishing strong one year only to struggle at the start of the next.
Leclerc reflected on how Ferrari has learned from its mistakes. The team identified specific issues that caused them to falter early in the 2024 season, particularly after a strong finish in 2023. Understanding what went wrong in the winter break was crucial, as Ferrari aims to avoid similar setbacks in 2025.
One notable example of Ferrari’s struggles in 2024 came at the Canadian Grand Prix, where both Leclerc and Sainz failed to finish the race. However, team principal Frederic Vasseur has confirmed that the 2025 Ferrari car will be a completely new build, signaling their commitment to improving their performance. With a renewed line-up, significant growth, and a new car, Ferrari is gearing up to contend for the championship in 2025, eager to end their long title drought.
