Charles Leclerc showcased an initial burst of speed during the Belgian Grand Prix sprint race but ultimately revealed Ferrari’s continued difficulty in matching the pace of their top competitors. Starting from fourth on the grid, Leclerc aggressively overtook Lando Norris on the Kemmel Straight and moved into third place early in the race. However, his efforts were soon eclipsed as Norris regained momentum and passed him by lap four, casting doubt on Ferrari’s ability to maintain competitiveness throughout the event.
By the end of the sprint, Leclerc had fallen back considerably, crossing the finish line more than ten seconds behind the winner. His performance highlighted lingering limitations within the SF-25, despite recent technical improvements.
Leclerc Reflects on Ferrari’s Current Performance and Upgrades
Following the race, Leclerc shared candid insights about the team’s prospects. While acknowledging useful lessons from the weekend, he indicated that Ferrari might have reached the performance ceiling of its current car. He expressed doubts about the car’s potential to challenge the leading Red Bull and McLaren teams in outright pace.
“There’s some learning to take away from a race like this,”
—Charles Leclerc, Driver
“I don’t think there’s anything in the car that makes us hope that we can fight with Red Bull or McLaren, unfortunately.”
—Charles Leclerc, Driver
Leclerc’s remarks underscore the frustration within Ferrari as their upgrades fail to translate into significant improvements on track, leaving them trailing their principal rivals.
Technical Upgrades Implemented by Ferrari Ahead of Spa
Ferrari introduced a comprehensive package of upgrades during recent races, intensifying their development push before the Belgian Grand Prix. The modifications included a redesigned underfloor introduced in Austria and further refinements for the Spa race, such as a new rear suspension geometry coupled with a bespoke low-drag rear wing to suit the high-speed layout.
The changes to the underfloor were extensive, affecting multiple aerodynamic surfaces from the fences at the front of the floor to the diffuser exit. Adjustments around the floor edges near the rear wheels were also part of the upgrade, representing Ferrari’s ongoing efforts to extract more downforce and improve handling balance.
Despite these enhancements, the practical gains in competitiveness have been minimal, with the team still unable to close the gap to leading contenders.
Race Dynamics and Competitor Performances at Spa
While Ferrari struggled with pace, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen maintained his winning form during the sprint race, fending off challenges from McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Piastri could not overcome Verstappen’s lead despite a strong start, while Norris demonstrated greater speed than Leclerc after the opening laps.
Lewis Hamilton, driving for Mercedes, also faced difficulties. After a costly spin eliminated him from the initial qualifying session, he began the sprint far down the grid in 18th position. He made modest progress to finish 15th, one of the few drivers to gain positions in a largely uneventful race.
“Well, the positive is I didn’t spin,”
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
“And I did move forward, but it was a really tough race. We couldn’t move forward in the DRS train which was unfortunate – but I’ve definitely learned a lot about the upgrades that we have.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Hamilton also commented on the similarity between his crash and an incident involving Leclerc earlier in the season at Montreal, highlighting shared challenges within the upgraded car’s handling characteristics.
“I was just reflecting, part of the upgrade Charles has had since Montreal – and you saw the crash that he had there was kind of similar to something that I had yesterday.”
—Lewis Hamilton, Driver
Challenges Persist Despite Development Efforts
Ferrari’s technical department continues its quest to improve the SF-25, but current upgrades have not delivered the expected leap in performance. Leclerc’s spin during the first practice session at the Canadian Grand Prix, which damaged the chassis, is a reminder of how the car’s stability issues have affected the team’s progress. While no upgrade declarations were officially made at that event, internal changes and ongoing refinements have kept the team occupied.
The lack of significant pace gains means Ferrari remains unable to consistently threaten the dominance of Red Bull and, to a lesser extent, McLaren in the sprint races and presumably the main events moving forward.
Implications for Ferrari’s Belgian Grand Prix Campaign
Leclerc’s acknowledgment of Ferrari’s limitations during the Belgian GP highlights a broader problem facing the team amid an intense and evolving Formula 1 season. Despite incremental updates and their drivers’ best efforts, the SF-25’s performance deficit to rivals raises questions about their ability to compete for victories at high-speed circuits like Spa-Francorchamps.
This situation generates a strategic crossroads for Ferrari, as they must decide whether to continue refining existing components or prioritize development on their next-generation car. For the Belgian GP weekend, the likelihood of Ferrari challenging for the win remains low, with the team focusing on consolidating points rather than mounting a serious challenge against Red Bull’s apparent superiority.
As the season progresses, how Ferrari addresses these challenges will be critical for both their championship hopes and driver morale.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Charles Leclerc a millionaire?
A. In 2025, Leclerc is believed to have a net worth of about $125 million. This is a significant increase from previous estimates of $50 million made a year or two earlier.
Q. Does Charles Leclerc have a PhD?
A. Charles Leclerc earned a doctoral degree in neuropsychology from the Université de Montréal. His research concentrated on how the brain adapts when specific areas receive little or no stimulation. His thesis resulted in multiple scientific articles.
