Leclerc Refuses to be Deterred by Criticism as Ferrari Struggles Continue
In the lead-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc defended himself and the Ferrari Formula 1 team against critical media reports suggesting instability within the organization. The Italian press voiced concerns over team principal Frederic Vasseur’s position following a lackluster start to the F1 2025 season, with Ferrari managing only one win—a sprint race in Shanghai.
Despite the scrutiny, Leclerc emphasized focus on performance rather than external validation. "We’re not here to try and prove anybody wrong. We’re just trying to do our job the best we possibly can," said Leclerc, who remains fifth in the championship standings.
During the Montreal race, Leclerc finished fifth, while Lewis Hamilton placed sixth. The race unfolded under challenging conditions, and Leclerc expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s two-stop strategy, favoring a single pit stop instead. "I’m frustrated that I didn’t put everything together… The team knows where I stand," Leclerc commented, alluding to disagreements over strategy relayed through firm radio exchanges with his engineer.
Frederic Vasseur later acknowledged Leclerc’s concerns, indicating that the decision for a two-stop strategy was a calculated risk given the circumstances. "We can take some risks, but it was a bit too optimistic to do one stint of 50 laps with the hards in terms of tyre life," Vasseur stated, highlighting the need for further race weekend analysis.
As the season progresses, Ferrari’s performance will be under intense scrutiny, and both Leclerc and Vasseur are committed to addressing the team’s shortcomings in upcoming races.
