Apr.16 (GMM) Charles Leclerc says he has “no thought” when Ferrari could possibly tackle McLaren for normal grand prix wins.
The enduring Italian staff headed into 2025 amid intense hype surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s arrival and clear championship targets. “How do I really feel as a fan?” former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo mentioned in Bahrain final weekend.
“Unhappy. And I’m additionally indignant as a result of I had hoped that this yr we might see a very aggressive automotive from the beginning.”
Montezemolo has lengthy argued that Ferrari’s issues begin on the very prime. “This staff is usually missing a pacesetter, and I miss the fervour at Ferrari for which it was as soon as well-known. I see a staff with no soul.”
Hamilton, 40, was significantly despondent after qualifying in Bahrain, the place the hole to Leclerc demonstrated that his current issues at Mercedes – lack of qualifying tempo – had carried over to his new crimson automotive.
He was happier after the race, the place he completed P5 behind Leclerc.
“I went again to the lodge, sorted issues out and talked issues over with myself,” Hamilton defined. “It’s a really completely different automotive, however my qualifying this yr is even worse than final yr. I’ll preserve attempting. I’ll get there.
“A minimum of I perceive how this automotive desires to be pushed now. I’ve pushed a sure type for therefore lengthy, and now I’m sitting in a automotive that must be pushed fully in a different way.
“I’m additionally working Brembo brakes the place I beforehand had Carbone Industrie. It’s a totally completely different strategy. However I used to be so removed from Charles when it comes to setup and now I’m slowly getting nearer to him.”
Montezemolo believes that Ferrari is Hamilton’s “final likelihood” to win an eighth title. “He got here to Ferrari to win in crimson and finish his profession with a crowning title, however we see that adapting to a brand new manner of working isn’t simple.
“His largest drawback proper now could be that he doesn’t have a automotive with which he can change into world champion.”
Leclerc feels rather more comfy within the 2025 Ferrari, explaining that the most important drawback is that it “merely wants extra downforce general”.
“I believe we’re getting probably the most out of the automotive when it comes to steadiness in the meanwhile – there’s no room for extra,” he defined. “I would like extra grip to nook quicker.
“In qualifying, I really feel like we are able to masks some disadvantages, however within the race, that’s not potential. For those who don’t have sufficient grip, you slide extra and the tyres degrade extra. It’s a snowball impact.”
Ferrari fast-forwarded the introduction of a brand new flooring in Bahrain, however when requested when the following steps ahead will likely be mirrored on the stopwatch, Leclerc answered: “I don’t know.
“It’s all taking a bit of longer than I’d like. I’m positive we’ll discover our manner again to the entrance, however when that can occur? I do not know.”
As for Hamilton, staff boss Frederic Vasseur says he understands the wrestle and the clear despondency seen in Bahrain.
“You possibly can’t exchange twelve years of collaboration in two weeks or two races,” mentioned the Frenchman. “It’s essential that Lewis additionally brings the precise angle, which he does. He says ‘I’ve to enhance and adapt to the automotive’.
“We’ll tune the automotive to go well with Lewis, however he additionally has to take a step,” Vasseur added.
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