Formula 1 Saudi Arabian GP
Charles Leclerc unhappy as Ferrari upgrades fail to improve pace
The Ferrari driver says he is maximizing the car’s potential, but it’s still not quick enough to compete with the frontrunners
Emily Selleck Mark Mann-Bryans
Edited: Apr 20, 2025, 5:50 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Charles Leclerc was pleased with his performance in qualifying ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but the Ferrari driver said his SF-25 still wasn't where he wants it to be.
“I’m not happy, I’m really not happy,” Leclerc told reporters including Motorsport.com after qualifying fourth at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
“Finishing P4 in qualifying is really good, I put everything out there, but for now the performance of the car is just not there,” he continued. “I either have massive understeer or massive oversteer, but the end result is that I don't have enough grip to reproduce what the guys in front do.”
Watch: Was This as Magical a Pole as Max in Suzuka? Saudi Arabia GP Qualifying Report
Leclerc said he was maximizing the car’s potential, but the gap to the frontrunners was still too significant. “At the moment I feel good in the car. I think I found the sweet spot of the car that matches my driving style,” he explained.
“I feel like in the last three qualifying sessions I managed to maximize the potential of the car, but the potential is just not yet at the level I want.”
Read Also:
Formula 1Charles Leclerc on "unexpected" Bahrain P3 start and new Ferrari upgrades
Formula 1F1 Saudi Arabian GP: Max Verstappen grabs pole as Lando Norris crashes
The Monegasque also addressed the upgrades Ferrari brought to Jeddah, noting they didn’t help close the gap.
“I’m a bit disappointed because we had a few upgrades that should have helped but the gap [to the frontrunners] seems to be pretty similar to before,” he said. “[The upgrades] do work, but unfortunately I feel like the others have done as much of a step, which means that the gap hasn't really changed.”
Photos from Saudi Arabian GP - Practice & Qualifying

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday

2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Saturday
Formula 1
68
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article “Let's fuel it for two laps” – The key Red Bull call that led to Max Verstappen's pole
Next article Lewis Hamilton: Bond with Ferrari “very difficult” as qualifying struggles continue
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Emily Selleck

Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
Formula 1
Formula 1
Las Vegas GP
Machine Gun Kelly, T-Pain and Zedd to headline F1 Las Vegas GP lineup
![]()
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race
NASCAR Truck
NASCAR Truck
How Toni Breidinger uses fashion as a “creative outlet” to help her race

Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’
Culture
Culture
Lewis Hamilton reveals second Dior capsule collection with nods to South Africa and ‘Afrofuturism’

More from
Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Charles Leclerc admits he missed a chance against Max Verstappen – but not the obvious one

Why Charles Leclerc failed to outbrake Max Verstappen in Turn 1 at Singapore GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Charles Leclerc failed to outbrake Max Verstappen in Turn 1 at Singapore GP

More from
Ferrari

The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend
WEC
WEC
Barcelona
The six drivers doing double duty in Portimao GTWCE and Barcelona WEC this weekend

Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Fred Vasseur "not sure" if Red Bull is currently F1's best team
Latest news

Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
3 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links

Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
5 h
Did Haas make the correct decision in signing Rafael Camara for F1 2027?

Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 5 h
Frederik Vesti steps up to full-time role as Cadillac Racing details 2027 IMSA lineup

Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
5 h
Rafael Camara to replace Esteban Ocon at Haas for F1 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe





