Leclerc admits struggles: ‘Very different place to last year’

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari is in a "very different place" compared to last year as the team enters the final stretch of the season.

Ferrari has endured a challenging campaign this year, something acknowledged by the Monegasque driver as well.

The Italians had a strong finish to 2024, but Leclerc sees the Scuderia to now be in a different situation.

"I think we are in a very different place to last year. However, to resume it in the simplest way, I feel like Mercedes is very strong whenever it’s cold, and we seem to be stronger whenever it’s warm."

He continued about the final part of the season: "Looking at the next few races, I hope it’s as warm as it can get, so we have an advantage.

"I feel like this is what is going to swing the performance one way or another more than any other track characteristic. This is where we stand, and we’ll see how it goes."

Out of the frontrunner teams, Ferrari is the only one yet to score a victory this year. Leclerc finished on the podium on five occasions in 2025, while Lewis Hamilton has not stepped on the podium at a Grand Prix despite winning the Sprint in China.

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Charles Leclerc sitting in the SF-25 - Photo: RacePictures.

Battle heating up for second place in the constructors' standings?

With six Grands Prix and three Sprints to go, McLaren secured it's second constructors' title in a row already in Singapore.

However, the battle for second place remains open. Mercedes gained crucial points in Singapore, extending its lead over the Scuderia.

Mercedes now leads Ferrari by 27 points and Red Bull by 35. Max Verstappen expects a 'proper battle' to unfold as well over the final Grands Prix.

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