At the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, a glimmer of hope emerged for Ferrari fans as Charles Leclerc secured his first podium of the year, following a sluggish start to the season. Nevertheless, this achievement was met with widespread disappointment within the fanbase, who expected more from both the team and their star driver.
Leclerc’s journey to securing third place was fraught with challenges. He began the race from the fourth position, after a difficult qualifying session, and fought hard to overtake his rivals during the race. Throughout his first stint, Leclerc delivered an impressive 29 laps on medium tires, skillfully keeping Lando Norris at bay. Despite facing pressure from the fast-closing Norris during his second stint on hard tires, Leclerc managed to maintain his position on the podium.
On social media, Leclerc expressed his elation, posting highlights from the race on his Instagram account. The images of him joyously celebrating his podium finish quickly circulated across various platforms, sparking a heated debate among Ferrari supporters.
However, many fans expressed their dissatisfaction, believing that Leclerc’s talent deserves to be rewarded with victories rather than just podium finishes. One fan vocally compared Leclerc’s career record with that of Oscar Piastri, who debuted in 2022 and is just three wins short of matching Leclerc’s eight career wins. “It’s outrageous for Charles to be content with P3, given his capabilities,” a fan lamented. The common sentiment among fans pointed to Ferrari’s failure to provide a competitive car, thereby squandering Leclerc’s potential.
Despite the criticism, Charles Leclerc remains steadfast in his dedication to Ferrari. He openly states his loyalty to the iconic Italian team, emphasizing his determination to achieve his ultimate goal of winning a championship with them. This loyalty, however, seems to deepen the frustration among fans who feel that Ferrari is not living up to expectations.
Another fan expressed, “I am infuriated by that statistic. Charles should be competing for wins, but the team is squandering his abilities with a subpar car.” Disappointment was widespread as fans voiced their grievances about Ferrari’s shortcomings, particularly in comparison to other teams on the grid.
Currently, Ferrari lags significantly behind teams like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. The persistent gap between Ferrari and its competitors seems to suggest that no immediate change is on the horizon for Leclerc, adding to the fans’ frustration.
As the season progresses, the fervent hopes of both Charles Leclerc and his dedicated supporters rest on Ferrari’s ability to improve, aiming to transform potential into reality and deliver the performance that many believe Leclerc rightfully deserves.
