F1: Charles Leclerc Vows To Restore Ferrari's Glory Amid Challenging Season

Last Updated:July 04, 2025, 22:55 IST

Charles Leclerc aims to restore Ferrari to the top of Formula One. Ferrari is second in the constructors' championship, trailing McLaren. Leclerc is fifth in the drivers' race.

Formula One: Charles Leclerc at Ferrari (AP)

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc expressed his determination to restore the “iconic team" to the top of Formula One after a challenging start to the season. The 27-year-old Monegasque, with eight Grand Prix wins since his debut in 2018, finds motivation in finishing on the podium in three of the last four races. Ferrari currently holds second place in the constructors’ championship with 210 points, trailing McLaren by 217 points ahead of the British Grand Prix.

Leclerc is fifth in the drivers’ title race with 119 points, while his team-mate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, is sixth with 91 points. Leclerc has ambitious goals, noting Ferrari’s last constructors’ title win in 2008 and Kimi Raikkonen being their last driver to win the world championship in 2007.

Leclerc acknowledges the first part of the season was “disappointing," falling short of expectations. He emphasises the team’s hard work to address weaknesses and become more competitive, showing progress but not yet a complete turnaround.

“However, we cannot stop there," he was quoted as saying to AFP on the sidelines at Silverstone.

“The objective is far bigger when you are Ferrari.

“It is imperative we win again and regularly."

Reflecting on the early season’s “complicated" atmosphere, Leclerc, an accomplished pianist and racehorse investor, maintains a positive outlook.

“I like to put things in context," he said.

“I am a Formula One driver, what’s more at Ferrari, it is something I always dreamed about.

“Whilst of course the present situation affects me, as when you are a driver you want to win, I am still an extremely fortunate person to be doing the thing I most love in the world."

Leclerc Not Happy At Ferrari?

Leclerc, whose last win was in the United States in 2024, insists he is not content with the status quo.

“I am far from happy with the situation and I am absolutely trying to do everything in order to rectify matters," he said.

“Indeed that is where I discover my motivation: that of returning the most iconic ‘team’ to the highest level and to win the world championship together."

Leclerc admits achieving this goal this year is “extremely complicated," but remains optimistic.

“I would never say it is impossible till the moment it is mathematically the case.

“However, McLaren have an enormous lead, their drivers too, so it will be tough."

Leclerc Staying at Ferrari?

Leclerc has until 2029, when his contract ends, to fulfill his aim, but believes next year will be crucial.

“Next year will be extremely important for the ‘team’ because of the new rules," he said.

“If one gets off on the right foot, it will be a very good omen for the following years, on the other hand if we get off on the wrong foot it will be much tougher to get back to the top."

Leclerc credits Hamilton’s arrival after twelve seasons at Mercedes with helping address car issues.

“Our collaboration is going really well," said Leclerc.

“Lewis arrived at a team and a structure totally different to the one he had worked with for so long," he said.

“He came with a completely different vision with alternative solutions for the problems amd made his fair share of observations which helped us a lot.

“On my side I have knowledge of the system and of the Ferrari infrastructure."

What Leclerc Has Learnt From Hamilton?

Leclerc admits he hasn’t learned directly from Hamilton but has observed him closely.

“The manner in which we work has stayed rather individual," he said.

“However, on the other hand clearly the first time he arrived at HQ I analysed and observed all he did.

“With all the success he has had, it is normal to do that."

(With inputs from AFP)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha...

Read More

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News sports F1: Charles Leclerc Vows To Restore Ferrari's Glory Amid Challenging Season