The Monegasque driver concluded the 2025 season in Abu Dhabi with a fourth-place finish, capping a year that fell far below Ferrari’s expectations. From competing for the Constructors’ Championship until the final race last year, Ferrari now ended the season 435 points behind McLaren, making the final balance undeniably painful.
After challenging McLaren for the Constructors’ title until the last race in 2024, expectations were very high for Ferrari in 2025. The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton only amplified the pressure and anticipation surrounding the team in Maranello.
However, the season was not only disappointing but also frustratingly unproductive. In a year when Ferrari aimed for the championship, the team secured just one victory—a Sprint race in China with Lewis Hamilton—while Charles Leclerc finished the season without a single win, though he managed seven podium finishes.
In Abu Dhabi, Charles Leclerc managed a relatively positive ending by challenging Lando Norris for the final podium spot for much of the race, showing an improvement over the team’s previous disastrous outings. Ultimately, he had to settle for fourth place, the same position Ferrari ended up in the Constructors’ Championship—yet a staggering 435 points behind McLaren.
Leclerc on managing expectations for 2026
During the post-race interviews, when asked if Ferrari should lower expectations for next year, Leclerc commented: “We also expected something different. It’s true we could have communicated a bit better, but when someone like Lewis joins a team like Ferrari, combining two icons of our sport, there’s a lot of talk around the team, and it’s difficult—if not impossible—to manage.”
“The expectations this year were also created by the environment and the situation we found ourselves in, not because of anything we caused. Everything around the team is outside our control. But we can stay united, push to the maximum, stay motivated, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” he added.
Charles Leclerc did not hide his disappointment about the season: “Yes, it hurts. Looking at the standings now, seeing Ferrari fourth and 400 points behind McLaren really hurts. I hope we can change this situation next year, but we’ll see.”
Regarding 2026, he preferred to remain cautious: “Honestly, I have no expectations for next year right now, because we are starting from a blank page. We don’t know where we are, and we don’t know where our rivals are either. We’ll see,” Charles Leclerc concluded.
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