Charles Leclerc has admitted that Ferrari needs to “completely dominate” the remaining races of the 2025 Formula 1 season if they stand any chance of winning the title.
The Monegasque has had a mixed season, driving well despite the handicap of the SF-25, which has so far been a notably difficult car to handle.
This has seen him clock up just three podiums all year, giving him little to show for what has been a campaign in which he has personally driven at a high level.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur has confirmed that more upgrades for the troublesome package will be coming at either the upcoming Austrian or British Grands Prix, which the team hopes will unlock more performance on a wider range of tracks.
Speaking after the Canadian Grand Prix, in which he finished fifth from eighth on the grid, Leclerc indicated that the team spirit is still high, despite the car’s unpredictability and the rumours regarding Vasseur’s position.
“Well, the motivation is still there,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“I mean, of course, today was a frustrating race and we are a little bit on the back foot, but more for the starting position than for the actual pace, because I think the pace wasn’t too bad.
“So, yeah, just frustrated that I didn’t put everything together. But apart from that, everything that is around doesn’t really affect me.
“I think the team really knows where I stand and I know what I want to do, and that’s what matters most to me.
“Then, of course, when there are rumours around, that can create a bit of distraction. But I don’t think we’ve been affected by it.”
Ferrari to ‘keep pushing and see where that leads us’
Leclerc stressed the team is working hard to reverse its fortunes, having now slipped to second in the Constructors’ Championship behind Mercedes, 191 points behind leaders McLaren.
Leclerc himself had a disappointing weekend in Canada, crashing in FP1 and, having been caught in traffic, was left in eighth on the grid, costing him a shot at victory.
But instead of being despondent, Leclerc conveyed some fighting talk about the team’s ethic but admitted its title chances are slim to nil.
“I think it’s going to be a difficult one,” he added. “If you look at the points, we are very far behind. We will need to completely dominate from now on.
“I don’t think we’ve got anything coming that makes us think that. But it’s better. I think the better thing is to just take it race by race, try to maximise the result just like we’ve done.
“It’s been a disappointing first part of the season, but we keep pushing and we’ll see where that leads us.”
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