Charles Leclerc voices Ferrari's frustration amid challenging season

Dominika Jordan
Jun 13, 2025, 04:34 PM ET

Formula 1 World Champions: A legacy of racing legends

Lewis Hamilton, 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix. Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1/Mercedes-AMG

Montreal, Canada – Charles Leclerc Reaffirms Ferrari Commitment Amid Rumors

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc expressed dissatisfaction with his team's current form and reaffirmed his commitment to the Scuderia amidst swirling rumors about personnel changes and his own future with the team. Speaking ahead of this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver addressed speculation surrounding Ferrari and its leadership, insisting his allegiance remains firm.

Reports in Italian media earlier this week suggested Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur's position may be under threat, along with claims that Leclerc was exploring a move away from the team he joined in 2019. Vasseur dismissed the rumors with palpable frustration, stating: “We are in this situation on a daily basis now in Italy, and too much is too much.”

Leclerc Reasserts Ferrari Loyalty

Leclerc, who has carried Ferrari with all three of its podium finishes in the opening 10 races, emphasized his loyalty. He told reporters, “I mean, I have no idea from where (the rumors are) coming from. I’ll rather just ignore it. But I’ve never said anything of this in the last few races. If anything, I keep saying how much I love the team and how much I want to bring back Ferrari to the top.”

Vasseur echoed Leclerc's sentiments, highlighting his driver's unwavering commitment: “Every single interview from the beginning of the season, he’s telling that he wants to stay with Ferrari. He wants to win with Ferrari. His future is with Ferrari. But every single Monday, we have an article telling that ‘Charles will go next year,’ ‘Charles will...’ At one stage, I don’t know what we have to do. I’m sorry – I can’t repeat every single weekend the same things. But it is like it is.”

Ferrari's Bruising Start to the Weekend

Adding to Ferrari’s woes, Leclerc crashed out during first practice on Friday after spinning off at the second chicane, an incident that ruled him out for the remainder of the session. The team confirmed that repairs could not be completed in time for second practice, compounding a bruising weekend start.

Speaking during Thursday’s media day, Leclerc admitted that the season has fallen well short of expectations. “I think none of us is satisfied with how it’s going at the moment. That’s clear. We came into the season thinking we had chances to challenge McLaren and Red Bull in order to win the championship. That has not been the case so far.”

Constructors' Championship Reflection

While Ferrari currently sits second in the Constructors’ Championship, Leclerc conceded that their position isn’t reflective of their ambitions: "If we compare ourselves to our other competitors apart from McLaren, it’s not like we are having a shocking season. However, as a matter of fact, this is not good enough. We are not happy with that, and we need to understand what McLaren found."

McLaren’s Resurgence

McLaren's resurgence has been one of the standout storylines of the season, as the British team made significant strides compared to last year. Leclerc was candid in his praise: “I think McLaren is doing an outstanding job. They’ve done a huge step forward compared to last year – a lot more than anybody else.”

Team Dynamic with Lewis Hamilton

Vasseur remained pragmatic, pointing to the solid team dynamic shared between Leclerc and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari this year amid preseason hype. Despite Ferrari’s struggles, Vasseur expressed confidence in the team’s trajectory: “With Lewis and Charles, I think we have a good relationship altogether. We have a clear target. We know that we have to work. We know that we have to push. But the mood in the team is very good, and that’s the basis if you want to recover and to win.”

Challenges in the Standings

Ferrari currently faces a daunting 197-point deficit to McLaren in the Constructors’ standings, while Leclerc sits fifth in the Drivers’ Championship heading into Montreal. As tensions mount, the Scuderia's leaders will need to refocus efforts to close the gap on their rivals.