While Scuderia Ferrari recently completed its scheduled filming day at the Mugello Circuit to evaluate updates to the rear suspension of the SF-25 car, the focus within the Maranello-based Formula 1 team now shifts toward the second half of the 2025 World Championship season. The spotlight is already turning to the upcoming Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. In this context, Ferrari is hoping to find solutions to the persistent issues that have so far hindered both seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and Monégasque driver Charles Leclerc—who has recently voiced his deep frustration with his own performance, particularly following the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.
That race weekend had started on a promising note for both Leclerc and the Ferrari team during the free practice sessions. However, the situation deteriorated when Charles Leclerc qualified only in sixth position on the starting grid, falling short of his and the team’s expectations. Following the disappointing result, Leclerc criticized himself harshly over the team radio and again in front of the media, making no attempt to hide his frustration. The situation worsened during the race, where he finished a dismal fourteenth, compounding his sense of failure.
This pattern of extreme self-criticism is not new for Charles Leclerc. A similar scenario unfolded during the 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, when the Ferrari driver crashed into the barriers during qualifying and repeatedly called himself “stupid” over the radio and in interviews. The Monegasque driver has consistently owned up to his mistakes, whether in qualifying or in race situations, and has never hesitated to take full responsibility when his performance fell short of expectations. This quality has long been appreciated by Scuderia Ferrari’s Team Principal, Frédéric Vasseur.
Frédéric Vasseur, however, recently expressed concern that Charles Leclerc’s admirable willingness to hold himself accountable might sometimes become counterproductive. In Fred Vasseur’s view, Leclerc’s self-critical mindset, while a major strength, can turn into a vulnerability when taken to an extreme—such as was seen again at Silverstone. The French team boss elaborated: “For the last ten years, one of Charles’ defining qualities has been his ability to acknowledge his mistakes and to hold himself accountable. But sometimes he goes too far in blaming himself. I really appreciate it when drivers can say, ‘Okay, this was my fault.’ It’s a good trait because it keeps the team from going in the wrong direction in terms of development or analysis.”
The former Alfa Romeo team boss emphasized that, ultimately, racing drivers are human beings and, like everyone else, they make mistakes. What matters most, he said, is that they are honest about them. According to Vasseur, this honesty can serve the team well by fostering clarity and avoiding unnecessary confusion or misplaced blame. However, he also hinted at the importance of emotional balance, suggesting that while owning up to errors is a sign of maturity, being too hard on oneself—especially in a high-pressure environment like Formula 1—can potentially damage a driver’s mental resilience and performance.
As Ferrari continues its development work on the SF-25 car and aims to recover competitiveness in the latter part of the 2025 season, the psychological readiness of its drivers—especially Charles Leclerc—will likely be as crucial as the technical upgrades brought to the car.
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