The 2025 Formula 1 season has unfortunately become a source of disappointment for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, as the Monegasque driver continues to chase a victory that has so far eluded him.
With only ten races left on the calendar, Charles Leclerc holds the unwanted distinction of being the highest-ranked driver in the championship without a race win to his name this year. While Max Verstappen and George Russell have both managed to break McLaren’s dominance in 2025, and Lewis Hamilton has already delivered Ferrari a Sprint Race victory, Charles Leclerc is still waiting for his first triumph of the season.
The 27-year-old is closing in on 150 Grand Prix starts for Ferrari, a milestone that reflects his long-standing commitment to the Scuderia. Yet his record still highlights missed opportunities. His most promising campaign came in 2022, when he fought for the title and finished second overall, but his crash at the French Grand Prix ended any realistic hope of challenging Max Verstappen for the crown.
Former driver and broadcaster Martin Brundle once described Leclerc as the most formidable qualifier on the grid, but statistics tell a different story when it comes to Sundays. With only one win from his last sixteen pole positions, Charles Leclerc’s inability to consistently convert strong starting positions into victories remains a major obstacle in his pursuit of a world championship. Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness compared with Red Bull and McLaren has undoubtedly contributed to that record, but it is not the only factor at play.
In contrast, Lando Norris finds himself in the midst of a championship fight in 2025, with McLaren providing him a car capable of challenging for the title. His main opposition has come from within his own garage, as teammate Oscar Piastri continues to push him hard. Yet Norris’ approach, particularly his composure in high-pressure situations, has been singled out as a quality Charles Leclerc could learn from.
James Hinchcliffe, speaking on The Red Flags Podcast, pointed out that while Charles Leclerc’s speed over a single lap remains exceptional, his emotions inside the cockpit sometimes undermine his race performance. Hinchcliffe noted that the Ferrari driver often sounded agitated and irritated over team radio when situations went wrong, referencing the Hungarian Grand Prix as a prime example. He explained that such agitation was unlikely to change the outcome of a race but could prove costly in other scenarios where calm decision-making was required.
The Canadian compared this behavior to Norris, who in similar circumstances has demonstrated remarkable composure. He highlighted last year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, where Norris was asked to relinquish the lead back to Piastri. Rather than shouting or losing his temper, Norris calmly debated the strategy with his engineers, pointing out that he would have undercut his teammate anyway. Even in moments of clear disadvantage, Norris maintained a level-headed approach, something James Hinchcliffe argued gave him an edge. He suggested that unlike Fernando Alonso, who sometimes benefits from anger behind the wheel, Charles Leclerc does not appear to extract extra performance when emotions run high, making calmness even more essential for his success.
Ferrari’s radio messages in 2025 have further underlined the issue. Both Leclerc and Hamilton have expressed frustration during races, particularly during Hamilton’s debut in Australia, yet the difference in tone compared with McLaren has been noticeable. While emotions naturally flare in the heat of competition, the communication style at McLaren has appeared far more positive, with both Norris and Piastri sounding composed and confident throughout the campaign.
One of Leclerc’s most difficult weekends came at Silverstone, where a series of tactical errors and a collision with Carlos Sainz left him outside the points. His angry exchanges over the radio reflected his mounting irritation, which did little to improve the outcome. In a sport where the margins are razor-thin, the ability to remain calm and calculated could be the difference between a front-row start or a place in the midfield, or even a podium finish versus missing the top ten altogether.
Ferrari currently sit second in the constructors’ standings, but despite flashes of competitiveness, the team has clearly fallen behind McLaren and Red Bull. For Charles Leclerc, the hope now is that the upcoming regulation changes will finally deliver Ferrari the machinery to mount a genuine title challenge. Until then, refining his emotional control and learning from rivals like Lando Norris may be the key to turning speed and potential into the consistent success that has so far slipped through his fingers.
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