Leclerc: « I hope 2025 will be our year »

The first laps of the new Ferrari SF-25 left a positive impression on Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque, who is starting his seventh season with the Scuderia, was able to test the car during the presentation day at Fiorano last Wednesday. A first outing that was all the more special as it took place in front of the tifosi gathered around the Ferrari circuit.

First impressions of the SF-25

“It was a good feeling. The goal of a first day like this is mainly to debug the car and see if there are any particular elements, whether negative or positive,” explained Leclerc after his first laps. The Ferrari driver particularly highlighted the absence of bad surprises: “When it’s negative, it’s more concerning, and today was a good day because there was nothing particularly negative.”

If the initial sensations are encouraging, the Ferrari driver remains measured in his analysis: « It is very difficult to truly gauge the car’s sensations on the first day and during a first run. » He nevertheless emphasized that the initial data meets the team’s expectations: « The first numbers we observed match our expectations, which is a good first sign. But we don’t know, maybe McLaren, Red Bull, or Mercedes have found something magical, and we will only find out in Bahrain. »

This new single-seater is in line with the progress made in 2024, a season that saw Ferrari finish second in the Constructors’ Championship. Leclerc notes that, unlike in 2023, the team had no major issues to solve: « In 2024, it was very different. We finished the year strong. I think the car’s characteristics were well-balanced; we just needed to be faster and improve every aspect of the single-seater. That was ultimately a goal for the team, and for now, it seems to be going in the right direction. »

Replace Ferrari at the top with Hamilton

The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari could have been perceived as intimidating, but far from fearing this new dynamic, the Monegasque driver seems to welcome it with enthusiasm, seeing it as an opportunity for learning and progression: « It’s a really interesting moment for me because I analyze absolutely everything Lewis does. […] We’re working really well together for now and I have absolutely no doubt that it will continue and I have one desire and one goal: it’s that we bring Ferrari back to the top, both of us. »

Hamilton shares the same sentiment: “We have a good relationship, he works tremendously, and it’s great to see his work ethic and learn from him, from his experience here over six years, to move the team forward together,” he stated.

The complicity of the two teammates is also evident in their technical approach. Indeed, Leclerc reveals that their driving styles appear to be compatible, which can be a significant advantage for Ferrari: « We have always driven in different conditions and at different times of the day, so it’s quite complicated. But I feel like we have a very similar driving style, which is a very good thing for the team because it probably means we will be pushing in the same direction, and it will require the same things for the car. »

Change in mental approach and intensive preparation

If Leclerc’s career has always been marked by undeniable talent and impressive raw speed, the Ferrari driver admits to having significantly modified his approach to racing since 2023: « It was a change of mentality after 2023, where I never accepted the fact that we weren’t fast enough to win. Sometimes you try for a miracle, and it can work, but other times, it doesn’t go well, and you lose quite a few points. After 2023, I told myself that maybe I needed to adjust my approach to the season. On days when you just need to take the available points, you need to know how to take them. »

This new philosophy has led him to sometimes settle for the points within his reach rather than risking everything for a hypothetical victory, and this without regret, as he explained: « When I think back on my season, there were very few missed opportunities, if any, and I am very satisfied with that. I will try to replicate that. Then, if we have a competitive car from the first to the last Grand Prix, I am convinced that we will have a chance to fight for the world title, which is obviously my ultimate dream. »

To accomplish this dream and even with an increasingly busy schedule, Leclerc did not neglect his physical preparation during the off-season. “The seasons are getting longer year after year, there are more and more races, but the preparation remains the same because I’ve always tried to maximize and optimize that moment of the season. I went to the Dolomites in Italy as I do every year. I pushed more than ever, so I’m ready for this season,” he explained.

Objectives for 2025

After a 2024 season where Ferrari finished second in the constructors’ championship just 14 points behind McLaren, Leclerc is clear about his goals for 2025: « Given that we finished second very close to first in the constructors’ championship last year, the logical goal is to win the constructors’ championship this year, but not only that. I’ve had a dream since I was a child, which is to win the drivers’ world championship, and I really hope this will be the right year. In any case, I am preparing and have been working hard for years to be ready when the opportunity comes, and I hope that 2025 is our year. » he stated.

Charles Leclerc’s focus is already on the Bahrain tests from February 26 to 28 and the start of the season in Australia, where Ferrari achieved a one-two finish last year. Although the Monegasque believes it would be great to repeat that result, he warns that the Melbourne track is a unique layout and that we should not get carried away and think it will necessarily happen again this year. For him, it’s important to maintain the 2024 mindset and seize opportunities as they arise: No matter where we are fighting, we just need to stay calm and focus on ourselves, and the results will come if we do our job well, he concluded.