Scuderia Ferrari has not started the 2025 Formula 1 season in the best possible way, and after the first 12 races, the gap to direct rivals McLaren has already exceeded 200 points in the Constructors’ Championship standings. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc has come under increasing criticism from multiple sources, including a sharp attack from Germany—this time from a former Formula 1 driver turned commentator.
The first half of the 2025 Formula One World Championship has exposed serious difficulties for Ferrari’s two star drivers, Charles Leclerc and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The current situation has been harshly assessed by former driver Christian Danner, now an experienced analyst for the German broadcaster RTL. Danner did not hold back in expressing his views on the performance of both drivers and the team.
Charles Leclerc compared to Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, while Lewis Hamilton is said to be lost
According to Christian Danner, Charles Leclerc’s issues are not due to a lack of talent—his driving skills have never been questioned—but rather stem from a growing sense of frustration. Danner likened Leclerc’s situation to that of previous Ferrari stars, Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel, who also experienced emotional and professional fatigue during their time with the Scuderia.
“For Charles Leclerc, it’s like it was for Fernando Alonso or Sebastian Vettel during their time at Ferrari,” Christian Danner said. “Now he has to deal with the typical Ferrari frustration, when you realize that in the end, everything just keeps repeating itself in circles.”
Despite a promising start to the season, the SF-25 single-seater has failed to meet expectations. The consistency of rival teams—most notably Red Bull Racing and McLaren—has highlighted Ferrari’s ongoing problems, especially regarding their race strategies and technical development, which remain too inconsistent to sustain a serious title challenge.
Christian Danner was equally critical when evaluating the performances of Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this year after leaving Mercedes. The German pundit described Hamilton’s campaign as “catastrophic” so far. “Apart from the race in Shanghai, Lewis Hamilton just hasn’t been able to find his rhythm,” Danner stated.
Now, after several months behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-25, the adaptation period is considered over. With the second half of the 2025 season fast approaching, Danner believes it is time for the British driver to show a clear reaction. “At the moment, I don’t see any signs of a turnaround,” he added. “But I do believe he will manage to come back.”
With the summer break looming, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton find themselves at a crucial crossroads in their respective seasons. While both drivers have the potential to turn things around, the time left to do so is running short. The pressure is mounting, and the upcoming Grands Prix will be vital for Ferrari to reverse the negative trend and regain competitiveness.
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