On the Miami checkered flag, automotive quantity 16 — the primary SF-25 to complete — trailed the Grand Prix winner by a full 57 seconds. And to suppose that Ferrari had approached the U.S. weekend with cautious optimism: the race was a whole catastrophe, a lot in order that Charles Leclerc, within the post-race interviews, fell right into a silence that smacked of resignation. Between deeply hidden potential and efficiency removed from expectations, the Monegasque’s religion within the SF-25 undertaking continues to waver.
“They’ve been telling us for the reason that starting of the season that this automotive nonetheless has untapped potential. After this race, do you continue to imagine that’s true?” When Sky Italia journalist Mara Sangiorgio requested the query, the Ferrari driver hesitated. “I’ve been saying for 4 races now that we’re extracting the utmost potential from this automotive,” he defined. “This weekend, there was merely none to extract — we have to perceive why. Right here in Miami, I didn’t have the great feeling I had within the earlier trio of races (Japan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia).”
Is the Ferrari SF-25 already a failure? Charles Leclerc’s lengthy silence
Leclerc’s reply didn’t fulfill the Italian reporter, who pressed once more: “I’ve to ask — how a lot do you continue to imagine on this automotive?” At this level, the Ferrari driver’s face darkened, and he fell right into a thunderous silence. Leclerc didn’t converse for a number of seconds, trying to find the suitable phrases to reply as gently as doable. The time misplaced in silence and his surprised expression revealed a Charles burned by a automotive that now appears irredeemable to most.
With a response that appeared extra well mannered than heartfelt, a visibly shaken Leclerc tried to not be too blunt: “Effectively… I all the time imagine… After a day like this, after all, there’s quite a lot of frustration,” he admitted. “I can’t be optimistic after such a race, however I’ll preserve believing till the tip.”
Charles Leclerc requires updates: Ferrari to carry fixes already at Imola
As he made a determined effort to go away some sliver of religion within the SF-25, Leclerc added a situation: “However we have to enhance the automotive, as a result of proper now it’s simply not ok.” With that, Charles Leclerc referred to as for pressing upgrades to get the crimson automotive again on a aggressive path. To keep away from derailing their championship after simply six weekends, Ferrari will carry some fixes already for the Imola weekend. Then comes a extra substantial bundle set to debut on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the place a brand new technical directive — anticipated to bother McLaren and Mercedes particularly — can even take impact.
Ferrari is clinging to its final hopes and relying on assist from the upcoming technical directive. The Imola–Barcelona doubleheader will decide the storyline of the 2025 season: is the Scuderia doomed to endure all the best way to the Abu Dhabi finale? Have the drivers already given up on the SF-25? Charles Leclerc didn’t need to say it outright — however in circumstances like this, silence might converse louder than any assertion.