Leclerc Frustrated After Disappointing Qualifying at Miami Grand Prix
Miami, FL – Charles Leclerc expressed his frustration at Ferrari’s performance following a disappointing qualifying session for the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver managed to secure only eighth place on the grid, 0.550 seconds behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing. Leclerc’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, faced a similar fate, failing to advance past Q2 and finishing 12th.
Leclerc, who missed the sprint race due to a crash caused by aquaplaning, felt his lap during qualifying was competitive but ultimately highlighted the lack of raw speed from the Ferrari SF-23. "We are just not fast," Leclerc stated. "Whatever we do with the car… we just don’t have the downforce that the others have at the moment."
Performance Insights
Ferrari’s struggles were particularly evident at the Miami International Autodrome, a circuit characterized by its slower corners, which Leclerc noted further exposed the team’s weaknesses. “A track like this highlights our weaknesses. Both Williams cars are in front of us,” he lamented. Despite a solid lap, the team’s current performance levels were insufficient to compete with frontrunners like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.
Leclerc’s concerns also stemmed from the team’s broader struggles, as he claimed they were maximizing the car’s potential without achieving the necessary speed. "Today in qualifying, I felt satisfied with my lap, but it only brings us P8," he added, emphasizing the gap to the leading teams.
Reflection on Sprint Race Incident
Regarding his crash before the sprint race, Leclerc acknowledged that using intermediate tires in challenging wet conditions was an error. "We need to understand what we’ve done wrong as a team," he reflected, indicating that the incident complicated the weekend further for both him and the mechanics.
As the race approaches, the Ferrari team is tasked with addressing these performance gaps if they hope to secure points amidst fierce competition.
