Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has asserted that he can understand Charles Leclerc‘s growing impatience towards the team’s uncompetitive position in Formula 1 in 2025.
Leclerc entered the season insisting that both titles should be Ferrari’s aim amid the late resurgence in 2024 that almost saw it steal the Constructors’ Championship.
However, the Italian marque has been unable to build on that momentum as struggles with a troublesome SF-25 car have seen it go winless in the opening nine races.
That has consigned Ferrari to languishing a mammoth 197 points behind McLaren, the reigning champions having dominated the season with seven victories to date.
Leclerc’s irritation at Ferrari’s bleak situation was exhibited last month when he expressed that a “freaking good upgrade” is essential to salvage the team’s prospects.
Vasseur contended that he has no problem with the Monegasque’s comment, though, as he recognised that all drivers are tuned to demand continuous improvement.
“Trust me that each Monday I’m pushing the team to bring performance,” Vasseur told media including Motorsport Week post-race at Imola.
“It’s the day of every single team on the grid, that we are all trying to push to get performance.
“Even at McLaren, they are leading the championship, but I’m pretty convinced that the drivers might say, ‘guys, we need to bring performance.’
“Honestly, I would be disappointed and surprised if one day one of my two drivers said, ‘guys, you can go on holidays, we are perfect.’
“All the drivers of the world, I never saw a driver saying that ‘the car is fine, guys don’t work, I don’t need to have an upgrade.'”
Leclerc at top level despite Ferrari limitations
Leclerc has continued to excel despite Ferrari’s underwhelming beginning as he has out-raced seven-time F1 champion team-mate Lewis Hamilton in all but one race.
Vasseur, Leclerc’s team boss in his debut F1 season at Sauber in 2018, reckons the eight-time race winner is operating at his best level inside and outside the cockpit.
“I would say yes, his work is good,” the Frenchman enthused to La Stampa regarding Leclerc, who has achieved Ferrari’s three podiums in 2025.
“Compared to the past, he has taken a big step forward in terms of certainty about what he wants, he is more direct in asking the engineers what he needs.”
READ MORE – Charles Leclerc: Ferrari not a regular F1 podium threat without upgrades to SF-25
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