Charles Leclerc’s Formula 1 struggle took a pronounced turn during the recent Silverstone Grand Prix, where the Ferrari driver faced one of his toughest weekends. The 27-year-old Monegasque, known for his speed and skill, finished a disappointing 14th, nearly lapped by the leaders. His reaction after the race revealed his frustration, punctuated by explicit language as he vented about his poor showing. Silverstone, a circuit historically dominated by Lewis Hamilton, exposed Leclerc’s ongoing difficulties as he found himself clearly outpaced by his own teammate.
A Comparison to Past Talents Highlights Leclerc’s Unfulfilled Potential
The situation conjures memories of Jean Alesi, the passionate French driver who entered Formula 1 with widespread expectations of multiple world championships but ended his career with only one Grand Prix victory. Alesi’s early promise, marked by his fearless style and competitiveness against legends such as Ayrton Senna, was never fully realized, partly due to timing and the teams he raced for.
Similarly, Charles Leclerc entered Formula 1 in 2018 and has yet to reach the heights expected of him, despite seven years with Ferrari and eight Grand Prix wins. Although he secured second place in the 2022 championship and third in 2024, his results fall short of what many predicted for a driver of his caliber. The parallels with Alesi’s career highlight the growing concerns surrounding Leclerc’s trajectory.
Leclerc’s Struggles Evident in Intra-Team Dynamics
Silverstone marked the first event where Leclerc appeared distinctly slower than his Ferrari teammate, a significant blow given his previous dominant standing within the team. British driver Lewis Hamilton’s dominance at the Silverstone circuit added extra pressure; since 2013, Hamilton consistently finished on the podium there and holds the record with nine RAC Gold Trophy victories.
Ferrari’s deputy team principal Jerome d’Ambrosio revealed that Hamilton adapted to handling the car’s challenging characteristics, especially a loose rear end—an issue that has hampered Leclerc. This acceptance allowed Hamilton to gain momentum and contributed to the widening performance gap between the two drivers.
Leclerc’s Declining Status and Championship Prospects
With 119 points, Leclerc currently ranks fifth in the 2025 drivers’ standings, while Hamilton trails closely with 103 points, despite what many considered underwhelming form. Expectations had built around Leclerc potentially becoming a multiple world champion and surpassing Hamilton at Ferrari, but Silverstone’s results suggest a more even contest, favoring Hamilton.
The decline in Leclerc’s performance is stark when compared to his early days at Ferrari, where he challenged established drivers like Sebastian Vettel and helped end Vettel’s tenure with the team. Now, the once promising young star seems to be losing ground, raising questions about his ability to fulfill his early promise.
Leclerc’s Legacy and the Path Forward
Despite his struggles, Leclerc remains a celebrated figure in Italy, cherished by the tifosi and backed by influential supporters including the Agnelli family. His achievements over nearly a decade in Formula 1—particularly staying with Ferrari for seven seasons and winning multiple Grands Prix—are significant milestones in any driver’s career.
However, comparing Leclerc’s path to that of Jean Alesi illustrates the uneasy position he occupies: a talent capable of more but yet to deliver on the ultimate prize. While Leclerc demonstrated karting skills that align him more closely with Max Verstappen’s generation of champions, this season is unlikely to be his breakthrough year.
The ongoing challenges at Silverstone underscore a crucial juncture for Charles Leclerc’s Formula 1 struggle, emphasizing the urgent need for improvement if he is to reclaim the mantle of championship contender in the years ahead.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck that. So fucking shit I am. I am so fucking shit. That’s all I am.”
—Charles Leclerc
“That was fuckingly bad.”
—Charles Leclerc
“Where am I losing to Lewis? I guess a little bit everywhere?”
—Charles Leclerc
“Yeah, a little bit everywhere.”
—Charles Leclerc’s engineer
“How is that possible? I’m already flat through Turns 1 and 2!”
—Charles Leclerc
