Charles Leclerc criticizes Ferrari’s ongoing efficiency points after Las Vegas GP qualifying catastrophe
Charles Leclerc described the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying session as “extraordinarily difficult” after he and Lewis Hamilton posted disappointing grid positions for Ferrari, beginning ninth and twentieth respectively. This setback has put a critical dent within the Scuderia’s hopes of securing second place within the Constructors’ Championship.
Following Ferrari’s double retirement on the São Paulo Grand Prix, the crew already trailed Mercedes by 36 factors, making them clear outsiders. The Las Vegas qualifying struggles have solely intensified fears of a poor championship end, probably marking their worst displaying within the ground-effect period.
Lewis Hamilton grew to become the primary Ferrari driver since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2009 to qualify final for a Grand Prix with none penalties. In the meantime, Charles Leclerc managed to make it into Q3, however his lap was virtually two seconds slower than Lando Norris, who claimed pole place. With victory searching of attain, the main target for Ferrari might now be on harm limitation because the season heads towards the Abu Dhabi finale.
Leclerc highlights Ferrari’s persistent wet-weather weaknesses
Over crew radio, Charles Leclerc brazenly admitted that Ferrari’s efficiency within the moist circumstances was “embarrassing” and reported experiencing virtually zero grip. This lack of traction severely restricted his means to push the SF-25 and compromised his general qualifying tempo.
The moist monitor posed challenges for a number of drivers, with Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda describing the circumstances as feeling like “driving on ice.” For Charles Leclerc, nonetheless, this was a well-known frustration, persevering with a problem that has plagued him since becoming a member of Ferrari in 2019. Regardless of a number of makes an attempt to enhance the steadiness of Ferrari’s automotive on intermediate and moist tyres, the issue persists.
Each former teammate Carlos Sainz and present teammate Lewis Hamilton have voiced comparable complaints, confirming the team-wide problem. The Monegasque famous that the Ferrari drivers repeatedly battle to harness accessible grip in wet circumstances, making it extraordinarily troublesome to keep up management on monitor.
Charles Leclerc mirrored that, even after in depth changes and setup adjustments, the crew has but to discover a resolution to the SF-25’s wet-weather limitations. Lewis Hamilton has reportedly emphasised that the automotive’s unpredictable behaviour makes racing in moist circumstances “so irritating,” echoing Charles Leclerc’s considerations. Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz, specifically, have highlighted the continued issue in utilizing the automotive’s grip successfully, reinforcing the notion that Ferrari’s wet-weather efficiency stays a serious weak point.
Carlos Sainz continues to outqualify Lewis Hamilton
In the meantime, Carlos Sainz, who moved to Williams for the 2025 season, has proven spectacular qualifying performances. Regardless of a slower automotive, the Spaniard has repeatedly outpaced Lewis Hamilton, together with an excellent third-place grid place in Las Vegas. Carlos Sainz praised the competitiveness of his Williams machine in various circumstances, underlining his adaptability and ability.
This marked the sixth event in 2025 the place Carlos Sainz has certified forward of Lewis Hamilton, highlighting an ongoing intra-team dynamic and elevating questions on Ferrari’s setup decisions and driver efficiency. In earlier seasons, Sainz constantly carried out effectively in qualifying, outpacing Charles Leclerc 9 occasions in 2024. At present, Hamilton trails the intra-team head-to-head comparability 17-5, demonstrating a big hole regardless of driving arguably the sooner equipment.
Charles Leclerc’s reflections after Las Vegas reinforce considerations over Ferrari’s battle to supply a automotive able to competing for wins in all circumstances. With only some races left within the 2025 season, the Monegasque driver and Lewis Hamilton will likely be hoping that classes realized in Las Vegas can translate into stronger performances in Abu Dhabi and past, as Ferrari appears to be like to salvage its Constructors’ Championship ambitions.
For the Tifosi, the countdown to the Yas Marina chequered flag can’t come quickly sufficient. The 2026 regulation reset presents a clear slate, however till then, Ferrari’s wet-weather curse – and the echoes of Carlos Sainz’s untapped potential – will linger as a bitter reminder of what might need been on this turbulent 2025 F1 season.
Nov 24, 2025
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