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Charles Leclerc Voices Concerns After Barcelona Test: Ferrari’s Setup in Question
Charles Leclerc has emerged from Ferrari’s latest private testing session at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya with some strong opinions regarding the car’s current setup. While the Monegasque driver remains optimistic about Ferrari’s progress for the 2025 Formula 1 season, he was bold in expressing dissatisfaction with certain elements of the car’s handling and performance during the test. Leclerc’s concerns center primarily around the balance of the car, which he feels could hinder its potential if not addressed in time for the start of the season.
The Barcelona test, which saw Leclerc and his new teammate Lewis Hamilton alternate track time, was part of Ferrari’s extensive preparation for the upcoming campaign. Leclerc took to the track in the morning session, while Hamilton ran in the afternoon, with both drivers providing valuable feedback to the engineering team. However, it was Leclerc who raised red flags about aspects of the car’s behavior, specifically pointing out issues related to the balance and consistency across different run types.
Leclerc’s Feedback: Concerns About Balance
Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, is well-known for his precision in giving feedback, and his comments following the Barcelona test were no different. He mentioned that the car felt “inconsistent” in certain phases, particularly when it came to maintaining balance during high-speed corners and under braking. According to Leclerc, the car’s tendency to shift unpredictably during critical moments could compromise its race performance.
“I think we’ve made progress overall, but there are still areas where we need to work,” Leclerc said after his session. “The balance of the car isn’t where I want it to be, and we need to focus on getting it more stable, especially through the faster sections of the track. Right now, it feels like we’re fighting against the car rather than working with it.”
Leclerc’s comments underline a critical area that Ferrari has struggled with in recent seasons: maintaining consistency over a race weekend. While Ferrari has shown flashes of brilliance, they have often been plagued by performance drop-offs, especially when tire degradation and balance issues come into play. Leclerc’s concerns suggest that these issues may still persist, although there is time to address them before the season begins.
Positive Steps But Room for Improvement
Despite his concerns, Leclerc acknowledged that Ferrari has made significant progress in other areas. He praised the team’s efforts in optimizing power unit performance and noted improvements in the car’s overall speed on the straights. Additionally, Leclerc expressed confidence in the collaboration between himself and Hamilton, noting that having a teammate with Hamilton’s experience could help push the team forward.
“We’ve definitely moved in the right direction in terms of power and straight-line speed, which is great to see,” Leclerc continued. “Having Lewis on board is also a big positive. His experience brings a lot to the table, and I think we can work well together to get the most out of the car. But right now, the priority is getting the balance right. If we can fix that, I’m confident we’ll be in a good position.”
Ferrari’s Response: Engineering Team Takes Feedback Seriously
Ferrari’s engineering team has taken Leclerc’s feedback seriously and is already working on solutions to address the balance issues raised during the test. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur emphasized that these early tests are designed to uncover such problems and that Ferrari is fully committed to resolving them before the start of the 2025 season.
“Charles is very clear and detailed in his feedback, which is exactly what we need at this stage,” Vasseur said. “We know that balance is crucial, and we are working on fine-tuning the setup to ensure both Charles and Lewis feel confident in the car. There’s still time before the season begins, and we are optimistic about where we can go from here.”
Looking Ahead: A Crucial Period for Ferrari
As Ferrari continues its testing program, Leclerc’s feedback will play an important role in shaping the final setup of the car. Both Leclerc and Hamilton are expected to get more track time in the coming weeks as Ferrari prepares for the official launch of their 2025 car at Fiorano in February.
With a new season approaching and high expectations from both drivers, Ferrari knows that addressing these concerns is key to making a strong start in 2025. Leclerc’s bold statements after the Barcelona test signal that the team still has work to do, but there is optimism that they can turn these challenges into strengths before the lights go out on the new season.
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