Charles Leclerc Faces Ongoing SF-25 Weight Issues as Ferrari Struggles in 2025
Charles Leclerc endured a frustrating weekend at the Singapore Grand Prix as Ferrari continued to lag behind the frontrunners in the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite showing promising speed during Friday practice sessions, the Maranello team was unable to capitalize on their performance during qualifying. Charles Leclerc ended up in seventh place on the grid, just behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, who secured sixth.
Charles Leclerc started the race strongly, overtaking Kimi Antonelli in the opening laps. However, as the Grand Prix progressed, the Monegasque driver gradually lost ground. Ferrari instructed him to allow Hamilton to pass so that the seven-time world champion could mount a challenge against Antonelli later in the race on softer tyres. This strategy ultimately failed when Hamilton encountered brake issues during the closing laps, forcing him to slow dramatically to finish the race.
On the road, Leclerc crossed the line in sixth, while Hamilton initially finished seventh but was later demoted to eighth for exceeding track limits to maintain position ahead of Fernando Alonso. This disappointing result underscored a recurring issue for Ferrari throughout 2025: Leclerc’s car continued to be plagued by a mysterious weight problem affecting the SF-25.
Ferrari’s Persistent Ride Height and Weight Challenges
The Ferrari SF-25 has faced ongoing technical difficulties this season, particularly concerning ride height and car balance. Reports from Auto Motor und Sport suggest that team principal Fred Vasseur’s aggressive technical approach may have exacerbated these problems. Allowing engineers to push design boundaries has occasionally backfired, leaving both Leclerc and Hamilton struggling with underperforming cars.
Earlier in the season, both drivers experienced disqualifications due to technical infringements. In Shanghai, Charles Leclerc’s car was found to be underweight, while Lewis Hamilton faced penalties for excessive plank wear. Observers believe similar issues affected Charles Leclerc in Budapest, where he secured a surprise pole position—Ferrari’s only pole of 2025—but fell off the pace dramatically during the final stint, ultimately finishing off the podium. The root cause of this ongoing lack of performance has yet to be resolved.
In Singapore, Ferrari once again miscalculated, leaving Charles Leclerc’s car underweight during the race. This recurring issue has raised serious concerns within the paddock, as Ferrari’s rivals—Red Bull, Mercedes, and McLaren—continue to gain ground. Analysts warn that the inability to fix the weight and ride height problems could have long-term consequences for Ferrari’s competitiveness in the championship.
Driver Frustration and Team Dynamics
Leclerc has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Ferrari’s technical decisions. The team prioritized rear suspension adjustments to address ride height, ignoring driver feedback on aerodynamic upgrades. As a result, the SF-25 has become largely unresponsive to setup changes over a race weekend, putting Ferrari at a disadvantage compared to teams with more adaptable cars.
This lack of responsiveness has seen Ferrari slip behind in the Constructors’ Championship, with Milton Keynes-based Red Bull closing the gap to just 10 points. Leclerc has privately expressed his belief that Ferrari currently ranks as the fourth-best team on the grid, reflecting his growing discontent with the team’s progress.
Leclerc Considers Future Moves in F1
With tensions rising, Ferrari has reportedly scheduled urgent internal meetings to address the ongoing technical and strategic issues. Charles Leclerc is said to be exploring his options for the 2027 season, engaging in preliminary discussions with Mercedes and reportedly making contact with Red Bull and Aston Martin. The Maranello team now faces mounting pressure to retain their star driver, as the Monegasque’s potential departure could trigger a major shake-up in the Formula 1 driver market.
For Ferrari, retaining Charles Leclerc is critical not only for their championship ambitions but also for long-term team stability. The SF-25’s unresolved weight and ride height problems highlight the need for more effective engineering solutions, strategic alignment with driver feedback, and careful management of talent to prevent further erosion of performance and morale.
Looking Ahead for Ferrari and Charles Leclerc
Despite a challenging 2025 season, Ferrari has an opportunity to regroup and focus on 2026 regulations. Charles Leclerc’s talent and experience, paired with Lewis Hamilton’s championship-winning insight, provide a strong foundation for the team to address the SF-25’s deficiencies and mount a competitive challenge next year.
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