In the 2025 Las Vegas Formula 1 Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc finished sixth in what was a challenging race from the very start with his Ferrari. The Monegasque driver later gained two positions as a result of the McLaren MCL39 cars disqualification, but in fact this changes little for Ferrari. Starting from ninth on the grid, the Monegasque driver immediately found himself caught in traffic at the first corner, narrowly avoiding collisions involving other drivers. The contact he avoided by mere centimeters affected his initial acceleration, a situation that is unfortunately common when starting from the middle of the grid. From the very opening moments, it was clear that Charles Leclerc would have to manage not only his pace but also his positioning in the congested field in order to recover effectively.
Once the initial scare had passed, Charles Leclerc attempted to set his own rhythm, finding a respectable pace but never one that was truly decisive or able to challenge the frontrunners. The Ferrari SF-25, configured with a level of downforce intended to maximize performance under the variable conditions experienced during qualifying, ultimately failed to deliver any real advantage. These technical decisions, made before the race weekend, did not produce positive results either on Saturday or on Sunday, leaving Charles Leclerc and the team struggling to find any consistent competitive edge. On the long, high-speed straights of the Las Vegas circuit, the red car continued to underperform relative to its main rivals.
Starting from ninth had already complicated matters, highlighting the Ferrari SF-25’s ongoing and chronic limitations, particularly in conditions where traction and precision were critical. During the race, Charles Leclerc was able to attack effectively only in the braking zones, while losing time on the faster, flowing sections of the track where straight-line speed is crucial. He had to push aggressively in these braking areas to create overtaking opportunities, a direct consequence of pre-race technical choices that resulted in a car setup insufficient to deliver strong performance across the full lap. Despite these challenges, the number 16 driver managed every stage of the race with careful attention, even without genuine top-speed support to challenge rivals on the straights.
This lack of outright speed forced Charles Leclerc to remain behind the DRS train formed by Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli toward the end of the race, never truly having the opportunity to pass either competitor. It also prevented him from overtaking Kimi Antonelli by a mere tenth of a second at the finish line, despite the five-second time penalty applied to the Italian driver. Throughout the race, Charles had to carefully manage his tyres and pace while attempting to exploit any gaps, but the circumstances on track were largely unfavorable.
Leclerc: frustration grows
After the race, Charles Leclerc explained that he had given everything at his disposal. He stressed that he had approached every lap as if it were a qualifying session, consistently taking risks where necessary and without regrets. The 28-year-old driver indicated that he was missing just a tenth of a second to reach fifth place, but overall, he considered his performance to be solid given the circumstances. The Monegasque driver also highlighted the difficulties in overtaking, particularly exacerbated by the car’s straight-line speed deficit. He suggested that improved power unit management could have brought him closer to the top five, although the circumstances were ultimately not in his favor.
Ferrari: technical choices under scrutiny
Within Ferrari, there is a growing perception of tension. Charles Leclerc appears increasingly frustrated by the car’s negative performance and by technical projects that have rarely fulfilled their promises. The 2026 season, with the arrival of new regulations, will represent a pivotal moment for his career. It will be a crucial year in which he will evaluate the team’s real potential and decide whether staying at Ferrari offers a viable path to winning the world championship. If the car in the next regulatory cycle does not deliver a significant performance breakthrough, Charles Leclerc will seriously consider changing teams to pursue a championship elsewhere. Expectations remain high, and the time available to achieve them is rapidly diminishing. The sixth-place finish in Las Vegas, which later became fourth, is clearly a disappointment, as it cannot realistically be otherwise. Maranello’s focus is already on the future, hoping that everyone within the team works cohesively toward the same objectives.
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