Ferrari shows promise in Monaco, but Charles Leclerc demands more: here’s the key to improving the SF-25. Ferrari secured a podium in Monaco, but Charles Leclerc wasn’t fully satisfied.

“I’m never happy with second place”: Charles Leclerc isn’t content with the Ferrari SF-25 seen at the F1 Monaco GP and is calling for updates

Second place at the F1 Monaco GP isn’t enough: Charles Leclerc wants improvements on the Ferrari SF-25. The Monegasque driver returns to the podium after Saudi Arabia, this time in front of his home fans, but the disappointment is clear. A few thousandths in qualifying determined the outcome of the race, on a track that was, nonetheless, favorable to the car developed in Maranello. To keep fighting, updates will be needed.

Smothered smiles and restrained enthusiasm: Ferrari secures a podium in Monte Carlo, but the result—while certainly prestigious—feels more like a consolation. The car is at ease on the streets of the Principality: agile over the kerbs, fast in direction changes, strong on race pace. These same strengths might have allowed Charles Leclerc to battle Lando Norris under different circumstances.

But in Monaco, overtaking is nearly impossible, and the home driver is forced to sit behind. Charles considers it, studies the McLaren’s moves, the rival’s weaknesses, but ultimately gives up. Now more than ever, Maranello needs points, and the podium is incredibly valuable. But to keep championship hopes alive, more is needed—starting already in Barcelona. The main weakness remains the same: slow-speed corners.

Charles Leclerc half-satisfied: “We still have a lot of work to do”
During the traditional post-race press conference, Charles Leclerc’s mood is far from elated: “I’m never happy with second place. But if you take a step back and look at our season, I think this is a very positive result for the whole team. We had very low expectations coming here, because our performance in low-speed corners has been poor all season.”

“I think this is a very unique track, there are a lot of bumps, a lot of kerbs. That helped us close the gap. So yes, I think we did a great job and 18 points plus Lewis’s 10 are very valuable points given our current position. That’s why I think we should be proud. Am I over the moon for second place? Not really, but it was still a very positive weekend.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out at the end of the Monaco Grand Prix.

The SF-25’s weakness remains the same: “By far, slow-speed corners. I think that’s our biggest weakness. That’s why I came here very pessimistic. I think on a track like this our car behaves very well. That helps us, but unfortunately it will only help on a track as extreme as this one. So yes, we need to work on our performance in low-speed sections.”