Leclerc Admits: “It’s Not Balance, It’s Performance That Ferrari Lacks”

Ferrari’s Painful Imola Outing Sparks Honest Words from Charles Leclerc

It’s not often that Ferrari gets knocked out in Q2 with both cars at their home race. But that’s exactly what happened at Imola. For the first time in their illustrious history at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, neither Ferrari made it into Q3. A shock? Perhaps. A reality check? Absolutely.

Charles Leclerc, usually one of the more reserved and polished voices in the paddock, didn’t hold back after qualifying. He finished 11th—just outside of Q3—while Lewis Hamilton followed closely behind in 12th. For Ferrari fans, it was a weekend that began with hope and ended with a familiar feeling: frustration.

“It’s Not About Balance Anymore”

Speaking to the media after qualifying, Leclerc didn’t try to sugarcoat what was clearly a disappointing session. “We can play around with balance all we want,” he said candidly, “but at the end of the day, the performance just isn’t there. The car’s potential is where it is right now, and that’s the hard truth.”

It’s rare to hear such bluntness from a Ferrari driver. The Maranello-based team is known for carefully crafted statements and measured optimism. But Leclerc, like many inside the garage, seems to have reached a breaking point. After several seasons of unmet expectations and incremental improvements that haven’t moved the needle, the frustration is clearly bubbling to the surface.

The Myth of the “Magic Setup”

Much has been said this season about Ferrari’s ability—or inability—to find the right setup window. Imola, a track that demands both mechanical grip and aerodynamic efficiency, was supposed to be a litmus test. Would Ferrari’s 2025 challenger be versatile enough to fight across different track profiles? So far, the answer is a clear “no.”

Leclerc’s comments about balance speak volumes. Drivers often refer to balance when they believe a car has potential but hasn’t been dialed in. In contrast, when they start talking about outright performance deficits, it signals something more structural. It’s not that the car is poorly set up—it’s that it isn’t good enough, period.

All Eyes on the Spain Upgrade

Ferrari has been hyping a major update package scheduled for the Spanish Grand Prix. It’s been talked about in the paddock for weeks, and fans have clung to it as a possible lifeline. Leclerc, however, isn’t ready to buy into the hype just yet.

“If this is going to be a turning point,” he said, “then it has to be an extraordinary upgrade. Not a small step, but something game-changing.”

Those are strong words—and fair ones. Ferrari has often introduced updates mid-season, but rarely have they delivered the kind of performance leap needed to truly shift the narrative. The upcoming Spanish GP could be a make-or-break moment for the Scuderia’s 2025 campaign.

Hoping for a Miracle—But Not Expecting One

When asked about his prospects for the race, Leclerc gave a half-hearted chuckle and admitted: “I’m hoping for a miracle tomorrow, but honestly, I’m not too optimistic.”

It’s that kind of honesty that resonates with fans. There’s no PR speak, no hollow confidence. Just a driver who knows the limits of his machinery and is doing the best he can with what he’s been given.

Leclerc did mention that a safety car could shake things up—a nod to the unpredictable nature of Formula 1 races. “In these kinds of situations,” he said, “the only thing you can hope for is a safety car. We’ll see what happens.”

Monaco: A Beautiful Nightmare?

Looking ahead, the next stop on the calendar is the Monaco Grand Prix—Leclerc’s home race. On paper, it should be a moment of pride and excitement. But for Leclerc, it’s more of a looming headache.

“Monaco is going to show all of our car’s weaknesses,” he warned. “It’s going to be a tough weekend.”

It’s not the first time Leclerc has had a rough time at Monaco. Despite his deep connection to the principality and strong qualifying performances in the past, the stars have never quite aligned for him on race day. Combine that with a car that struggles in slow-speed corners and over kerbs, and it’s easy to see why expectations are low.

A Bigger Picture Problem

Zooming out from the weekend itself, Leclerc’s remarks point to a deeper issue at Ferrari. The team is still chasing Red Bull—and now Mercedes and McLaren, too—in almost every performance metric. Whether it’s downforce, tire management, or straight-line speed, Ferrari is constantly a step behind.

There’s been a lot of restructuring behind the scenes, from new technical staff to revised processes, but results have yet to materialize. And in Formula 1, time is always ticking.

Fans and pundits alike often ask: Is it the car? The team? The leadership? The reality is, it’s a combination of all three. And when Leclerc, the team’s golden boy and clear number one, starts openly expressing doubt, you know the problems are serious.

Leclerc’s Leadership Moment

Despite all the frustration, one thing is clear: Leclerc is stepping into more of a leadership role within the team. He’s not just driving the car—he’s setting the tone. By speaking out, he’s putting pressure where it needs to be placed: on Ferrari’s engineers, strategists, and decision-makers.

And he’s doing it without throwing anyone under the bus. There’s no finger-pointing, no melodrama. Just hard truths.

It’s a maturity that fans have come to respect. Leclerc may not always have the best machinery, but he’s proving he has the mentality of a champion.

The Road Ahead: Spain, Then Monaco

So what now for Ferrari?

All eyes are on Spain. If the upgrade package works, maybe the narrative shifts. Maybe Leclerc gets the car he deserves, and maybe Ferrari starts to close the gap to the front-runners.

But if it doesn’t? Then we may be looking at another season of “what ifs” and “maybes”—and perhaps a serious reevaluation of Ferrari’s long-term direction.

As for Leclerc, he’ll keep doing what he always does: driving at the absolute limit, squeezing every last tenth out of a car that too often isn’t up to the task.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari