The 2025 Formula 1 season comes to an end for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi with a blend of reflection, frustration and cautious hope. After a disastrous year and an SF-25 that has consistently failed to compete at a top level, the Maranello squad is finally turning its attention fully toward the future. The focus now is on the upcoming technical regulations and the opportunities they could bring. For Charles Leclerc, the season has been extremely challenging, yet it has still delivered several meaningful personal positives.
Leclerc: “We had different expectations”
Speaking in the press conference, the Monaco driver looked back at what happened in Qatar: “There is a fairly clear understanding of the problems we had, even if there are still no definitive solutions. There were situations we could not explore completely, and something over the weekend simply did not work: we were never competitive, from practice to the race, and at the moment there is no precise answer.”
He continued by explaining that the issues are not purely circuit-related: “I don’t think it’s only about the track, even though it definitely does not suit our car. We simply were not able to perform at the level we expected. In Abu Dhabi, I expect us to return to a better standard, probably that of the third-strongest team on the grid.”
Charles Leclerc then highlighted the value of his personal performances in an extremely complicated environment: “For me, 2025 has been a satisfying year on a personal level. You always try to improve, but the performance of the car has not been enough, and I cannot be satisfied with the results, especially after last season,” the Ferrari driver said, before adding:
“The expectations were without doubt different, even though the team reacted well to try to change direction, despite not bringing updates, since most of the work has been dedicated to 2026. On track, we operated well as a team, but the potential of the car was almost never enough.”
He also analyzed Ferrari’s position relative to its rivals: “I don’t know how competitive we will be this weekend. We are definitely behind McLaren, then there is Red Bull and then Mercedes. At some point there will be dynamics over the weekend that could mix things up, but I am not here to think about being the referee of the championship – my goals are different.”
2026 is a crossroads for Charles and the Scuderia
Despite Ferrari’s difficulties, Charles Leclerc has collected a total of seven podiums this season—a notable achievement considering the team’s lows. This gives him confidence as he approaches Abu Dhabi, aiming to end a complicated year on a positive note. The Monegasque driver stressed his commitment and the team’s effort, even though he has never had a truly competitive car underneath him.
Regarding the championship fight, Charles commented on the ongoing battle between Lando Norris and Max Verstappen without hiding his assessment: “Who will win the World Championship? I have changed my mind several times, but I think that 12 points of advantage is an important margin, and that Lando has a concrete chance to win it.”
The words of the former Alfa Romeo driver paint a clear picture of the season: a driver capable of excellent personal performances yet limited by the technical weaknesses of the car. Ferrari must take significant lessons from 2025 and, above all, be ready for 2026, when the new regulations could completely reshape the competitive order. As usual, the traditional Thursday press conference presents a very realistic Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque’s reflections encapsulate not only the struggles but also the determination of a driver who expects Ferrari to deliver a decisive step forward with the new rules. The Scuderia now faces a crucial challenge: proving in 2026 that the sacrifices made throughout 2025 were worthwhile.
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