Leclerc Secures Ferrari’s Third Podium of 2025 in Spain Amid Hamilton’s Ongoing Struggles
Ferrari celebrated their third podium finish of the 2025 Formula 1 season thanks to Charles Leclerc’s resilient drive at the Spanish Grand Prix. However, the overall atmosphere within the Maranello team remained one of frustration, as ongoing issues continued to overshadow the moment of success.
Hopes were high at the start of the weekend, with the Scuderia expecting the newly introduced flexi-wing technical directive to disrupt the competitive order and level the playing field. Unfortunately for Ferrari, the regulation shift failed to shake up the grid as anticipated. McLaren extended their dominance with yet another commanding 1-2 finish, dashing Ferrari’s ambitions for a more competitive showing.
Adding to the team’s woes, Lewis Hamilton was once again outqualified by Leclerc—marking just the second time this season, across both Grands Prix and Sprint weekends, that the Monegasque driver started ahead. Despite this, the Briton expressed a degree of optimism heading into Sunday’s race. That confidence quickly dissipated, however, as the Brit found himself wrestling with severe snap oversteer—worse than any other driver on the grid—leaving him unable to extract performance from the SF-25.
Charles Leclerc expressed his frustration over Lewis Hamilton’s pace on team radio, but ultimately managed to overtake the seven-time world champion. His fortunes improved late in the race when a mechanical failure struck Kimi Antonelli’s car, prompting a safety car period and presenting Leclerc with a prime opportunity to fight for a podium.
Upon the restart, Charles Leclerc made contact with Max Verstappen as he surged past on the main straight. Despite the incident, the Ferrari driver held firm in third position. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton finished sixth, benefitting from Verstappen’s post-race penalty that dropped the Dutchman to tenth following a separate collision with George Russell.
This result elevated Ferrari to second place in the Constructors’ Championship, moving ahead of both Mercedes and Red Bull. Still, Hamilton’s underwhelming performance left fans, pundits, and even fellow drivers questioning the situation at Ferrari.
Gasly Perplexed as Hulkenberg’s Sauber Beats Ferrari on Merit
One of the most unexpected outcomes in Barcelona came from Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, who finished eighth and collected four valuable points. The Frenchman capitalized on Max Verstappen’s penalty but was notably overshadowed by Nico Hulkenberg, who delivered a surprise P5 finish for Sauber.
The Hinwil-based team has been one of the least competitive squads throughout the 2025 season, but a package of upgrades introduced in Spain paid immediate dividends. Nico Hulkenberg, who had been knocked out in Q1, executed a superb long stint on medium tyres, gaining track position through a well-timed strategy.
Gasly, speaking to Sport.de, acknowledged Sauber’s clever tactics. He explained that the strategy allowed Hulkenberg to avoid blue flags and pit in tandem with the race leaders, minimizing time loss and maximizing opportunities. Pierre Gasly admitted that while Alpine didn’t extract their full potential, the team was satisfied with an eighth-place finish, especially considering the points were crucial for morale and the championship battle.
The sight of Hulkenberg overtaking Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari on sheer pace in the closing stages became one of the main talking points of the Spanish Grand Prix. Gasly described the outcome as unusual, noting that Williams had appeared to be the fastest midfield contender throughout the year, only to falter in Barcelona. Sauber, who had shown little pace in previous rounds, suddenly looked formidable, overtaking a Ferrari on merit—a situation few would have predicted.
Concerns Mount Over Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Future After Spanish GP
The moment Hulkenberg breezed past Hamilton down the main straight on raw performance marked a low point for both the British driver and Ferrari. Across social media, fans speculated whether Hamilton’s time at Ferrari had already reached an irrecoverable stage.
Hamilton was reportedly vocal in his criticism, describing the SF-25 as the worst car he has ever driven. Throughout the weekend, he struggled to manage the car’s unpredictable rear end, which significantly compromised his race pace. Leclerc, unaffected by the same severity of handling issues, finished well ahead of his teammate.
Tensions also surfaced during practice sessions, particularly during FP3, when Lewis Hamilton and his race engineer Riccardo Adami experienced a miscommunication regarding a downshift problem. The strained exchange added further pressure on team principal Fred Vasseur, who now faces the urgent task of addressing internal coordination and car performance to avoid further deterioration in morale.
In post-race comments that hinted at deeper dissatisfaction, the Briton referred to his sense of “home”—a remark many interpreted as a sign that he may already be contemplating his future beyond Ferrari. Although contracted through 2026 with an option for 2027, speculation is growing that the seven-time world champion may be exploring an early exit if the team cannot deliver immediate improvements.
With the 2025 season nearing its halfway mark, Ferrari’s internal challenges continue to mount. While Charles Leclerc’s podium finish offered a glimmer of hope, the broader narrative remains dominated by Lewis Hamilton’s struggles and the growing uncertainty surrounding his place within the Scuderia.
