Charles Leclerc shared his expectations for the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix, focusing on a factor that could challenge the more “extreme” SF-25. As he pointed out, “When you race between the walls…” the opportunities can increase — but so do the risks.
The Maranello team arrives at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix after a double retirement in Brazil, carrying slightly higher expectations. According to Leclerc, the streets of the “City of Sin” could allow the SF-25 to show its strengths.
After commenting on President John Elkann’s recent remarks, Charles discussed what he expects from this weekend. Charles Leclerc has always enjoyed street circuits where drivers must brush the walls to extract performance. The SF-25 might thrive here, although very low temperatures and the threat of rain could put Ferrari in a difficult position. His pole position in 2023 and the second place in qualifying last year confirm his strong feeling with the Strip Circuit. A victory still seems unlikely, but the Monegasque driver believes there might be room for surprises.
Leclerc: “One of my favourite circuits. Difficult season but I’m motivated for 2026”
Charles Leclerc explained: “This season, in low temperatures, we have often struggled more than others. So in terms of environmental conditions, we are not starting as favourites. But this is also the last street circuit of the season and one of my favourites and, as always, when you race between the walls there can be more opportunities to seize. This will be our goal for the weekend. I can’t wait to get back in my SF-25 to understand what cards we have to play in the fight this weekend. It’s cold, it has rained and it will rain again tomorrow, so it won’t be an easy weekend, and especially on a track like this it will be very tough.”
His team-mate Lewis Hamilton shares the same view. Lewis Hamilton said: “Here, the main issue is always getting the tyres to work well. Track temperatures are among the lowest of the entire season and the grip is extremely limited because the asphalt stays slippery all week. If it rains, it becomes really tricky: adding water to an already low-grip surface would make everything almost impossible. There could be opportunities, but I think we would all prefer to run in the dry.”
The key for Ferrari will be switching the tyres on at exactly the right moment for the qualifying lap and keeping them in the ideal operating window to avoid graining during the race — a challenging task in a Formula 1 environment that has become increasingly tyre-dependent. Ferrari may have a chance, but the setup must first be perfected. The Las Vegas street circuit will offer very low grip, and the SF-25 will run the low-downforce rear wing seen at Monza. Achieving the right aero-mechanical compromise will be crucial.
Charles Leclerc’s assessment of Ferrari’s 2025 season and his motivation for the future
Charles Leclerc also offered an overall assessment of Ferrari’s 2025 campaign and commented on his motivation heading into the new regulatory cycle. He explained: “All seasons are demanding, I don’t think any are easier. Some are happier and others make it a bit harder to keep smiling. This is probably one of those seasons where it’s more difficult from the first to the last race, because we had big expectations after last year. We started on the back foot and then you have to try to recover.”
He added: “This doesn’t affect my motivation. I am motivated to bring Ferrari back to the top, and that’s what drives me. It has been tough, but I still see many positive aspects in a season like this, and I’m sure that a year like this will help us improve in the future. But we must do more — and much more — to fight for a championship that I hope will be up for grabs next year.”
If 2026 does not deliver, Charles Leclerc may have to look around. With recent rumours linking him to Aston Martin, that scenario is more than realistic. The 2026 car will be the decisive piece of this puzzle.
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