After two strong Formula 1 weekends, many fans are wondering whether Scuderia Ferrari has finally managed to uncover the long-awaited potential of its 2025 challenger, the SF-25. The answer from Charles Leclerc, however, is quite straightforward — and as the Monegasque driver himself admitted, rather predictable.
In Mexico City, Ferrari achieved its second consecutive podium with Charles Leclerc, following the one earned just a week earlier in Austin. Overall, the Maranello-based team seems to have taken a clear step forward, but the question remains: does this improvement truly come from the car’s untapped potential, or is it more about execution and understanding? The Monegasque’s reflections after the Mexican Grand Prix offer valuable insight.
Charles Leclerc confirms progress, especially in qualifying
Throughout the weekend at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Charles Leclerc confirmed the positive feeling he had already found during the United States Grand Prix. The step forward was particularly evident in qualifying — traditionally one of the SF-25’s weakest areas. By starting at the front, Ferrari was finally able to manage the race from a position of control, rather than having to make its usual comebacks through the field seen earlier this season. Still, when it comes to raw performance, the Monegasque driver made it clear that the car’s potential has not changed drastically.
Leclerc: “The potential of the car remains the same”
“It was a normal race. I’m really satisfied with the last two Grands Prix because we’ve made a huge step forward in terms of execution, and that’s something we can truly be proud of,” Charles Leclerc stated after the Mexican Grand Prix. “The potential of the car remains the same — we know that we stopped our development earlier than others to focus on next year’s car. But I think we’re doing an excellent job with what we currently have. I was very happy to see the Safety Car come out in the last two laps, because without it, I think there was a higher chance of Max Verstappen overtaking me than me staying in front.”
Charles Leclerc’s comments once again highlight that the SF-25’s inherent potential has remained unchanged, as Ferrari has not introduced any major upgrades since the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. The improvement, therefore, is not in the car’s performance itself, but rather in how the team has executed race weekends and optimized its strategy. Over the last two events, the execution has been flawless, marking a noticeable difference compared to the earlier part of the season.
Better understanding of the SF-25
Another key factor behind Ferrari’s recent progress is the improved understanding of the SF-25’s behavior. After the race in Austin, Charles Leclerc had revealed that he had found a turning point by modifying certain setup parameters that had remained untouched throughout the season. These adjustments seemed to unlock a better balance and consistency, allowing both drivers to extract more from the car over a full race distance.
As a result, Ferrari now appears more confident in interpreting the SF-25’s characteristics and adapting it to different circuits. The communication between the engineers and drivers has also become more fluid, helping the team make better tactical and setup decisions across varying track conditions.
However, despite these improvements, the overall potential of the SF-25 is expected to remain the same until the end of the 2025 season. With development having already shifted towards next year’s car, Ferrari’s focus is now on extracting every bit of performance from its current package and refining its operational consistency. The results from Austin and Mexico suggest that this strategy is working, as the team looks to close the season on a strong note and carry valuable momentum into 2026.
In conclusion, Charles Leclerc’s verdict is clear: Ferrari has not found any hidden potential within the SF-25, but it has learned how to use what it already had much more effectively. Execution, precision, and understanding — these are the true ingredients behind the team’s recent progress, not new parts or upgrades. For Ferrari fans, this represents a positive sign that the foundation is finally strong enough for the next big step forward in the seasons to come.
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