Leclerc Casts Doubt on Ferrari’s Constructors’ Championship Hopes Despite Podiums
Austin, Texas – Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc expressed skepticism about the team’s ability to secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship, despite achieving back-to-back podium finishes in Austin and Mexico City. Following a strong performance, Ferrari currently sits one point ahead of Mercedes and ten points ahead of Red Bull.
Leclerc finished second to McLaren’s Lando Norris in Mexico City after securing third behind Max Verstappen and Norris the week prior at the United States Grand Prix. Despite this momentum, Leclerc cautioned against overestimating Ferrari’s chances. “It’s going to be very, very tough,” he remarked, emphasizing the challenges presented by the pace of rival teams.
He noted the importance of focusing on consistent execution. “We need to focus race by race and do the perfect execution like we’ve done in the last two races,” he stated. “It’s very difficult to perform at this level all the time, but that is the standard we need to target.”
Leclerc expressed surprise at replicating podium finishes, acknowledging the team’s limitations in raw performance. “We knew on paper we may not have the pace of McLaren or Red Bull,” he added, reflecting on the unexpected success.
As the season winds down, attention is shifting towards future seasons, with Leclerc mentioning the team’s ongoing focus on 2026 development, which could impact their current performance.
In the closing laps of the Mexico City race, Leclerc faced intense pressure from Verstappen. He credited a late Virtual Safety Car for helping him maintain his position. “I think without it, there was more chance of Max getting past,” he admitted. “We got a little bit lucky, but I’m proud we made it stick.”
Ferrari’s challenge remains formidable as they navigate the final races of the season, with Leclerc’s insights underscoring the competitive landscape of Formula 1.
