Charles Leclerc has somewhat flown under the radar during the 2025 Formula 1 season, and not entirely through any fault of his own.
Much of the spotlight at Ferrari has naturally been fixed on the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, with the seven-time world champion seeking to end the Scuderia’s prolonged championship drought. Hamilton’s challenging start to life in Maranello has only amplified attention on his side of the garage, leaving Leclerc operating with far less public scrutiny.
Despite Hamilton’s struggles, he managed to deliver Ferrari’s standout moment so far by securing a Sprint Race victory in China. Yet, when it comes to the driver who appears most at ease with the SF-25, it is clearly Charles Leclerc.
Pre-season testing saw Charles Leclerc grappling with the car’s balance, sparking optimism among fans that Hamilton might quickly assert himself as Ferrari’s new team leader. However, through the early part of the campaign, Charles Leclerc has yet to be outqualified by Lewis Hamilton for a Grand Prix and has consistently finished ahead of him over full race distances.
The turning point seemed to arrive at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, where Leclerc earned Ferrari’s first Grand Prix podium of 2025. Still, despite the promising result, the Monegasque driver remains dissatisfied with certain aspects of the SF-25’s behaviour on track.
Charles Leclerc Continues to Request More Front Wing Adjustment on 2025 Ferrari F1 Car
Motorsport journalist Roberto Chinchero recently shed light on Leclerc’s situation while speaking on the James Allen on F1 Podcast.
Chinchero observed that when Leclerc arrived at the media pen following the race, his facial expression was telling. He suggested that while Leclerc appeared pleased with his own performance and the setup choices made in the early part of the season, there was an underlying frustration. According to Chinchero, Charles Leclerc’s perfect execution during races was not enough to reach the maximum potential he believed the car should offer.
The journalist pointed out that during recent events, Charles Leclerc repeatedly requested more front wing adjustments each time he entered the pits, pushing the limits of the car’s front-end setup. Given Charles Leclerc’s natural preference for a strong, responsive front end, this behaviour was understandable. However, despite his impressive driving, there remained a fundamental shortfall in the car’s overall performance.
Chinchero emphasised that Charles Leclerc was handling the SF-25 exceptionally well but was clearly frustrated by the car’s inability to challenge for more than third place at best.
Charles Leclerc Highlights Ferrari’s Next Area of Focus After Floor Upgrade Success
Ferrari introduced a new floor specification at the Bahrain Grand Prix, a development that allowed both drivers to secure their best finishes of the season so far, with Leclerc building further momentum with a podium in Jeddah.
Renowned for setting extremely high standards, Charles Leclerc continues to bolster his reputation as one of the finest drivers yet to win a world title — a record he is undoubtedly determined to avoid carrying into the twilight of his career.
After the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc reflected on Ferrari’s weekend, noting that they had maximised their potential in every area. He praised the team’s flawless execution in strategy and pit stops, adding that the mechanics had worked tirelessly to achieve such performance levels, something he felt immensely proud of.
Looking ahead, Charles Leclerc pinpointed qualifying as Ferrari’s next area for improvement. He explained that while sector one had been their weak point during qualifying in Jeddah, it turned into one of their strengths during the race. This, he suggested, was a sign that further balance adjustments could unlock even more pace, and it would be the primary focus moving forward.
Balance has become one of the most commonly discussed issues across the Formula 1 paddock in 2025. It has troubled front-runners like Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, while backmarkers such as Gabriel Bortoleto have humorously dismissed the idea that teams like Sauber have even found a consistent performance window.
If the Monegasque and Ferrari can fine-tune that critical balance in the coming rounds, it could finally ignite Charles Leclerc’s championship bid for 2025 — and perhaps put an end to his constant mid-race pleas for more front wing adjustments over team radio.
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