On the Miami checkered flag, automobile quantity 16 — the primary SF-25 to complete — trailed the Grand Prix winner by a full 57 seconds. And to suppose that Ferrari had approached the U.S. weekend with cautious optimism: the race changed into a whole catastrophe, a lot in order that Charles Leclerc, within the post-race interviews, fell right into a silence that smacked of resignation. Between deeply hidden potential and efficiency removed from expectations, the Monegasque’s religion within the SF-25 venture continues to waver.
“They’ve been telling us for the reason that starting of the season that this automobile nonetheless has untapped potential. After this race, do you continue to imagine that’s true?” When Sky Italia journalist Mara Sangiorgio requested the query, the Ferrari driver hesitated. “I’ve been saying for 4 races now that we’re extracting the utmost potential from this automobile,” he defined. “This weekend, there was merely none to extract — we have to perceive why. Right here in Miami, I didn’t have the great feeling I had within the earlier trio of races (Japan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia).”
Is the Ferrari SF-25 already a failure? Charles Leclerc’s lengthy silence
Leclerc’s reply didn’t fulfill the Italian reporter, who pressed once more: “I’ve to ask — how a lot do you continue to imagine on this automobile?” At this level, the Ferrari driver’s face darkened, and he fell right into a thunderous silence. Leclerc didn’t converse for a number of seconds, trying to find the proper phrases to reply as gently as doable. The time misplaced in silence and his surprised expression revealed a Charles burned by a automobile that now appears irredeemable to most.
With a response that appeared extra well mannered than heartfelt, a visibly shaken Leclerc tried to not be too blunt: “Effectively… I at all times imagine… After a day like this, after all, there’s plenty of frustration,” he admitted. “I can’t be optimistic after such a race, however I’ll maintain believing till the tip.”
Charles Leclerc requires updates: Ferrari to deliver fixes already at Imola
As he made a determined effort to depart some sliver of religion within the SF-25, Leclerc added a situation: “However we have to enhance the automobile, as a result of proper now it’s simply not ok.” With that, Charles Leclerc referred to as for pressing upgrades to get the crimson automobile again on a aggressive path. To keep away from derailing their championship after simply six weekends, Ferrari will deliver some fixes already for the Imola weekend. Then comes a extra substantial package deal set to debut on the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, the place a brand new technical directive — anticipated to bother McLaren and Mercedes particularly — may even take impact.
Ferrari is clinging to its final hopes and relying on assist from the upcoming technical directive. The Imola–Barcelona doubleheader will decide the storyline of the 2025 season: is the Scuderia doomed to endure all the way in which to the Abu Dhabi finale? Have the drivers already given up on the SF-25? Charles Leclerc didn’t wish to say it outright — however in instances like this, silence could converse louder than any assertion.