Throughout the 2025 Formula 1 season, Charles Leclerc’s mid-race frustrations have become increasingly evident via tense radio exchanges with Ferrari. These outbursts highlight the growing dissatisfaction within the team as both Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton grapple with the SF25’s challenging balance and questionable strategic decisions. The mounting pressure has resulted in sharp, often heated communications during races, underscoring the drama unfolding at the Italian outfit this year.
Key Mid-Race Frustrations Experienced by Charles Leclerc
Leclerc’s irritation has been particularly noticeable in three specific race incidents. Each event exposed underlying problems with car performance and strategy, leading to his vocal discontent on team radio and revealing cracks in Ferrari’s operational cohesion throughout the season.
Hungarian GP: Struggles with Car Balance and Strategy
Starting from pole position, Charles Leclerc led the initial phase of the Hungarian Grand Prix confidently. However, opting for a two-stop strategy, opposed to rivals such as Lando Norris who went for a single stop, Leclerc found himself increasingly frustrated with his car’s behavior. Radio messages suggested deep concerns about the SF25’s handling and the team’s tactical choices as his pace dropped.
“I can feel what we discussed before the race. We need to discuss those things, before doing those.
We are going to lose this race with these things. We are losing so much time.”
After being overtaken by Oscar Piastri and pursued by George Russell, Leclerc’s tone intensified with visible frustration:
“This is so incredibly frustrating. We lost all competitiveness. You just have to listen to me. I would have found a different way of managing those issues. Now it’s just undriveable, undriveable. It’s a miracle if you finish on the podium.”
Post-race, Leclerc clarified the root cause was a chassis issue rather than the anticipated problem initially suspected, shedding light on the technical difficulties undermining his race.
Las Vegas GP: Team Dynamics Create Conflict
At the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Leclerc showed promise by moving from fourth on the grid to second place early in the race, but excessive tire degradation soon caused him to lose ground. Ferrari instructed teammate Carlos Sainz to yield position to Leclerc amid pressure from Lewis Hamilton behind them. Although Sainz complied a lap later, confusion emerged when he overtook Leclerc shortly after, despite instructions not to attack.
“Yes, whatever you want, as always. Yeah, I did my job, but being nice fu*** me over all the f*****g time. It’s not even being nice, it’s just being respectful. I know I need to shut up, but at one point it’s always the same.”
This exchange revealed growing tensions within Ferrari’s driver ranks, highlighting the challenges of managing intra-team competition under race pressure.
Monaco GP 2022: Strategic Mishaps Lead to Heated Radio Exchange
Leclerc’s frustrations date back to the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix, his home race where expectations ran high after securing pole position. The race strategy faltered when Ferrari initially called for a double-stack pit stop but then reversed the decision, instructing Leclerc to stay out after Sainz had already pitted. This miscommunication caused Leclerc to lose critical time and track position.
“Fu**, fu**. Why? What, what are you doing?”
The poor strategic timing significantly impacted Leclerc’s chances of a home victory, exacerbating the discord between driver and team that continues to reverberate years later.
Implications for Ferrari and What Lies Ahead
Charles Leclerc’s repeated radio outbursts expose the mounting pressure on Ferrari as they struggle to improve car performance and make coherent strategic decisions during the 2025 season. These moments of frustration not only highlight technical challenges—such as chassis issues and tire management—but also underline difficulties managing team dynamics between Leclerc, Hamilton, and Sainz.
The Scuderia must address these internal tensions and refine its race strategies to restore competitiveness and prevent further breakdowns in communication. Failure to do so risks continued disappointing results for a team eager to reclaim championship glory. How Ferrari responds to these mid-race challenges will likely shape their trajectory for the rest of the season and beyond.
