Charles Leclerc’s growing frustration at Singapore GP exposes Ferrari’s performance struggles
Ferrari star Charles Leclerc is showing increasing signs of frustration during the Singapore Grand Prix weekend, as the Maranello team continues to struggle with their SF-25 on the Marina Bay Street Circuit. For the first time since Silverstone, Leclerc was outqualified by teammate Lewis Hamilton, forcing him to start from seventh on the grid, far from the pole positions he has previously secured at Singapore.
Historically, Leclerc has excelled at the Marina Bay circuit, having taken pole twice in his career there, but this season Ferrari’s competitiveness is well below expectations. While McLaren have recently seen their advantage over the midfield diminish, with team principal Andrea Stella admitting their focus has already shifted toward 2026, Ferrari have not managed to exploit opportunities. Mercedes’ George Russell secured pole position, flanked by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, leaving Ferrari struggling in third tier performance.
Jenson Button has publicly suggested that Ferrari may be becoming increasingly cautious to avoid mistakes, a sentiment echoed by observers noting Charles Leclerc’s visible irritation. Despite Hamilton’s ongoing quest for a podium since joining Ferrari, Leclerc’s tally of just five podiums this season is far below his own and the team’s ambitions, and his frustration boiled over during qualifying.
Leclerc’s unheard radio outburst highlights Ferrari’s ongoing issues
During Q3, as Charles Leclerc failed to surpass his teammate and Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli on his first Singapore appearance, he reportedly expressed his frustration over the team radio. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Charles Leclerc described the session as “unbelievable” and “really bad,” signaling growing discontent with the car’s limitations. Motorsport sources noted Ferrari attempted a last-minute adjustment to the front wing in a bid to improve the Monegasque’s qualifying performance, yet the effort underscores the team’s distance from their peak competitiveness.
Lewis Hamilton commented on his own session, noting he felt comfortable in the car throughout the weekend and considered himself capable of competing for the top positions. However, he admitted that tyre temperature management and track evolution posed challenges that limited the team’s ability to fully optimise performance. He stressed the importance of monitoring competitors while continuously improving Ferrari’s operational strategy.
Charles Leclerc also explained that Singapore’s street circuit made it difficult to extract maximum performance. He indicated that pushing the car to the limit in qualifying was particularly challenging and emphasized the team’s need to analyse telemetry overnight to plan the race strategy. With overtaking notoriously difficult at Marina Bay, securing the best possible result will require careful execution.
Leclerc’s camp exploring future options amid growing frustration
In the lead-up to the Singapore Grand Prix, reports emerged that Charles Leclerc’s management team had discreetly contacted Red Bull regarding a potential move in 2027. Motorsport journalist Jennie Gow discussed Charles Leclerc’s future on the Chequered Flag Podcast, suggesting that the Monegasque driver is becoming increasingly concerned about Ferrari’s ability to provide a championship-capable car. Gow explained that both Leclerc and Hamilton are world-class drivers who could challenge for titles if given competitive machinery.
She highlighted that the 27-year-old driver, now at the midpoint of his career, may be questioning how long he should continue with Ferrari if the team fails to provide a car capable of winning and consistently challenging for championships. By the end of next season, Gow suggested, Charles Leclerc may feel compelled to consider a move to another team that can match his ambitions.
Ferrari management is likely aware that their work over the winter break will be crucial in retaining Charles Leclerc’s confidence and commitment. Failure to address these performance concerns could see one of the grid’s top talents become a highly sought-after figure in the upcoming driver market, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape for 2027 and beyond.
Charles Leclerc’s Singapore experience underscores the growing tension within Ferrari, highlighting the critical need for technical upgrades, strategic consistency, and a more competitive package to keep their lead driver motivated and capable of challenging for victories in the remaining 2025 races.
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