Charles Leclerc remains adamant that Ferrari made the right decision by directing their development efforts toward the 2026 regulations, even as their 2025 season draws to a close with underwhelming results. This calculated move, debated among the paddock, centers on the belief that early adaptation will yield benefits in future campaigns, despite current challenges facing Ferrari’s performance and competitiveness.
Reviewing a Difficult Campaign and Missed Opportunities
As the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix approaches and an arduous season nears its end, Leclerc has reflected on the barriers he and the team have encountered over the year. Qatar, in particular, stands out as a painful moment for the Monegasque driver, as Ferrari struggled to find pace from the initial practice sessions through to the main event. Leclerc revealed that while the team had several ideas about potential solutions, certainty remained elusive.
“Whether we have the clear solution, I don’t think so.”
– Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
Asked if Ferrari might see a repeat of the Qatar struggles in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc strongly disagreed, pointing out that track characteristics played a part but that Ferrari should have performed better regardless. He voiced optimism about a more representative showing for the team at the season’s conclusion.
“But for this weekend, I expect us to be back to where we should be, which is probably third team or something like that.”
– Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
Strategic Gamble: Prioritizing Future Success Over Present Results
The latter half of the year saw Ferrari’s results dip as rivals such as Red Bull and Mercedes introduced continuous improvements. In contrast, Ferrari allocated resources to the creation of the next car, anticipating the demands of the 2026 technical changes in both chassis and powertrain. Leclerc considered the team’s fortunes in the context of earlier technical difficulties, recalling how Red Bull resolved their own challenges and gained a decisive edge following an initial disadvantage in 2022.
Throughout the season, Ferrari’s technical approach meant fewer updates to the current car, leading to struggles in matching competitors like McLaren, who often outperformed them on track. Leclerc acknowledged that the nature of this generation of Formula 1 cars rendered them persistently hard to optimize, frequently producing inconsistent results between factory simulations and real-world conditions. He also recognized that other teams adapted better, with McLaren and Red Bull cited for their progress.
“And that was the challenge of it. And other teams did better, especially McLaren and Red Bull.”
– Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
No Regrets Over Development Choices Despite Disappointing Standings
Despite a lack of improvement in Ferrari’s machinery, Leclerc stands by the decision to look further ahead. He described how, from the first race, it became clear Ferrari was unlikely to contend for the world championship, with Red Bull and McLaren running at an impressive pace that forced a reassessment of realistic goals. As a result, Ferrari shifted strategy to prioritize future opportunities, even if it meant forfeiting a shot at higher positions in the constructors’ championship for 2025.
“I would have much preferred pushing the development the whole year to try and clinch that world title 100%. But if you are in the position that we were in at the beginning of the year, I think it was kind of a no-brainer so I don’t regret it.”
– Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
Leclerc’s Personal Reflections on Performance Amidst Team Difficulties
On a personal note, Leclerc considered his own driving consistent and strong throughout the adversities, pointing out a series of podium finishes despite limited opportunities due to the car’s deficiencies. He praised the team’s collective work ethic and their attempts to extract the maximum from each race, yet admitted the overall results did not meet expectations, especially compared to the optimism created by the previous season’s end.
“Then what we are missing eventually is the performance on the car. And for that, I hope that next year will be better.”
– Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
The focus on 2026 left this season’s car with minimal development, reinforcing Leclerc’s hope that the concentrated effort on the regulations overhaul will pay off in the approaching era. The team’s unity and determination through the frustrating campaign, he believes, lay a foundation for future progress.
Looking Ahead: Ferrari’s Future and Leclerc’s Determination
With only one race left in 2025, Ferrari is unlikely to finish higher than fourth in the constructors’ standings, a reality that underscores the urgency of their developmental gamble. Leclerc’s unwavering confidence in the project for 2026 contrasts with the emotional toll of a season spent fighting midfield battles. Expectations for Ferrari’s resurgence will be high once the new regulations come into effect, with attention now turning to how the work of the past year will shape the competitive order to come. Entities like Lewis Hamilton, who will also race for Ferrari, will be part of the team’s push to reclaim top honors against serial competitors such as Red Bull and Mercedes.
The season’s struggles highlight the complexities of Formula 1 development, where strategic decisions have long-lasting impacts. As Ferrari and Leclerc pin their hopes on the sweeping changes ahead, fans and rivals alike will be watching closely to see if the 2026 bet propels the Scuderia back into contention for championships.
