Charles Leclerc doesn’t count on Ferrari to be able to be profitable on advantage once more any time quickly, conceding it’s going to take “longer than I might need”.
Leclerc completed fourth on the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, his greatest results of the 2025 season thus far.
The Monegasque regarded heading in the right direction for Ferrari’s first podium of the 12 months after overtaking McLaren’s Lando Norris through the center stint of the race.
Nonetheless, the timing of the Security Automobile, resulting from particles on observe, didn’t play into Ferrari’s arms.
As Ferrari didn’t have one other set of medium tyres accessible, they had been compelled to place Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the unfavoured onerous tyre.
Regardless of a strong defence, Leclerc in the end misplaced out to Norris and needed to accept fourth.
Whereas Bahrain was extra encouraging than latest races, outcomes are nonetheless falling nicely under pre-season expectations.
Talking after the race, Leclerc couldn’t say how lengthy it might be till Ferrari are again competing for normal race victories once more.
“I don’t know. I feel I felt the tunnel is a bit longer than what I might need,” Leclerc mentioned as quoted by Motorsport Week.
“Ultimately, I’m positive that we’ll discover our manner, however how lengthy earlier than we do? I don’t know.”
“Nothing extra” from 2025 Ferrari
Not like teammate Hamilton, who is continuous to adapt to this 12 months’s Ferrari, Leclerc feels that there’s “nothing extra” when it comes to tempo to return from the automobile.
Leclerc certified third in Bahrain (began second resulting from George Russell’s penalty) however was nonetheless almost two-tenths away from Oscar Piastri.
“I feel we simply want extra general downforce, extra grip,” Leclerc added.
“I feel the steadiness we’re extracting the utmost out of the automobile for the time being, however there’s simply nothing extra. I want extra grip to go quicker across the nook.”
Leclerc additionally dismissed the concept that Ferrari made a mistake in not happening the softs on the finish of the race after selecting the hards.
“I feel the tempo was simply lacking,” Leclerc defined. “Then, clearly, when the tempo is lacking, no matter technique you do, you’re at all times on the fallacious facet of issues. We’re simply not quick sufficient.”
