Qatar GP, Ferrari: Leclerc struggles to benefit from lower-downforce setup
The F1 Sprint Qualifying at the Qatar GP saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finish in ninth place, leaving the Monegasque driver with more frustrations than positives. The decision to run a lower-downforce setup did not bring the expected benefits over a single lap. The goal was to maximize speed through the fastest sections of the Losail circuit, but the SF-25 continued to show evident limitations in overall performance.
Leclerc: “There was potential for a top-five finish”
Charles indicated that he felt the car had more potential than the final result suggested, signaling that a more competitive position was possible. However, the session was compromised by a traffic incident at a crucial moment. The impeding, likely caused by Carlos Sainz, affected Charles Leclerc’s final attempt, erasing a rare opportunity to improve his position and highlighting Ferrari’s general struggles.
Despite his frustration, Charles Leclerc analyzed the situation calmly. He said after qualifying: “Our qualifying could have gone better: I believe today there was potential to be in the top five. Unfortunately, before my last attempt, the driver ahead of me slowed down entering Turn 15, so I couldn’t build enough margin and started the lap too close to him, and consequently got disturbed.”
Minimum objectives
Charles Leclerc also stressed that incidents like these are part of the sport, even if they result in missed opportunities. Ferrari remains in the midfield, far from the positions the team aimed for at the start of the season. Every small detail is crucial when the car does not allow the team to close the gap to stronger rivals.
The impeding removed a rare chance to gain positions. Overall, the context is challenging: Ferrari is experiencing one of its toughest seasons in recent years, and ambitions have been scaled back over the weekends. Nevertheless, Charles Leclerc remains focused on the minimum goal, aiming to finish this turbulent year with dignity.
Finishing ninth is not ideal, but it provides a base to build on for the Sprint. His mindset remains pragmatic rather than resigned. Looking ahead to tomorrow, Charles Leclerc will try to seize every opportunity to recover positions in a Sprint that promises to be tricky for the entire field.
The Ferrari driver concluded with a determined approach: “It’s part of the game, but it was a shame for us. Tomorrow I will give my all in the Sprint race: I hope to fight and put on some good duels.” A statement that leaves room for some optimism, even in a technical situation that remains complex.
Starting ninth on a track where overtaking is possible but far from easy, Charles Leclerc knows every position gained in the sprint will be hard-earned – but the fire to fight remains very much alive.
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