Charles Leclerc has engaged in self-criticism following recent disappointing performances in qualifying sessions, but Scuderia Ferrari’s Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has stepped in to defend his driver. According to the French manager, the root of the issue does not lie with the Monegasque driver. Ferrari has consistently struggled during qualifying sessions throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season, and despite Leclerc’s efforts, he has yet to secure a single pole position this year. More often than not, he is forced to yield to the superior pace of the two McLaren cars, Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen, and occasionally even both Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team drivers.
The Ferrari SF-25 has proven to be more competitive on race day, when improved tyre management allows it to maintain a consistent pace that keeps the car in contention with the front-runners. However, the Italian team’s poor starting positions, due to subpar qualifying results, remain a significant handicap when it comes to Sunday’s Grand Prix outcomes.
Gone are the days when Charles Leclerc would regularly top the timesheets on Saturdays, only to suffer misfortune or performance drops during the races on Sundays. The driver often referred to as the “Prince of Maranello” has historically struggled to convert pole positions into race victories, a statistic that has been frequently mentioned by pundits and analysts. In recent seasons, however, Ferrari has pivoted toward developing a car that prioritizes consistent race pace over pure one-lap speed, shifting its focus away from qualifying dominance.
This change in technical philosophy has had consequences. Both Charles Leclerc and his new team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who joined Scuderia Ferrari for the 2025 season, now find themselves battling harder during Q3. As a result, they are frequently relegated to starting positions behind the front two rows of the grid. During the recent British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Leclerc expressed strong self-criticism, acknowledging the harsh reality that poor qualifying performances on Saturdays significantly reduce any realistic chances for success on Sundays.
Frédéric Vasseur, however, made it clear that Charles Leclerc should not shoulder all the blame.
Has Charles Leclerc Lost His “Magic Touch”? Ferrari’s Team Principal Responds
Speaking in an interview published on the official Formula 1 website, Frédéric Vasseur offered a firm and nuanced defense of his lead driver:
“For around ten years, or something close to that, one of Charles’s greatest strengths has been his ability to take responsibility. At the same time, one of his weaknesses is that he sometimes blames himself too much,” Vasseur explained. “I truly appreciate this trait in him, because it prevents the team from heading in the wrong direction. After all, we’re dealing with human beings. They make mistakes like everyone else, and it’s a good thing when you have drivers who can recognize that.”
Fred Vasseur went on to highlight the progress Leclerc has made in a key area:
“This year, he has made a real step forward in terms of race pace, possibly also in terms of how he works with the car’s setup. But all of this naturally makes qualifying a bit more difficult. I remember very well that two years ago we were telling him, ‘Charles, the points are awarded on Sundays, so let’s try to focus more on Sundays and set the car up better for the race.’ Because in the end, it’s Sunday that really counts.”
Through these comments, Fred Vasseur made it clear that the team’s strategic shift towards race-day performance has come at the expense of qualifying pace. The compromise in car setup is deliberate—and not a reflection of any regression in Charles Leclerc’s driving abilities. Rather, it is an evolution of Ferrari’s broader approach in an effort to become more competitive across full race distances.
As Scuderia Ferrari continues to chase its first win in the 2025 Formula 1 season, the team remains focused on finding the right balance between qualifying performance and race-day consistency. And while Charles Leclerc may no longer dominate Saturdays, he and the team are working toward achieving greater overall competitiveness where it truly matters—on Sundays.
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