Charles Leclerc expressed his deep frustration following Ferrari’s disappointing performance during the qualifying session for the Las Vegas Grand Prix on November 18, 2023. The driver described the team’s efforts as “embarrassing” after he managed to secure only ninth place, while his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, finished last. This outcome has intensified concerns about Ferrari’s potential to end the 2025 season without a single victory.
Leclerc’s Frustration with Wet Conditions
Leclerc’s discontent was palpable as he crossed the finish line, making his feelings known over the radio. “My god, embarrassing, f–ing embarrassing. F—ing hell, I don’t get how we can be so off the pace … there’s like zero grip, zero f—ing grip,” he stated. The qualifying session began under heavy rain, prompting teams to switch to full-wet tires, a rare occurrence in recent Formula 1 history.
After the session, Leclerc elaborated on his longstanding struggles with the team’s performance in wet conditions. “Unfortunately it’s not [just] today,” he told F1 TV. “It’s been like that since I joined the team in 2019. We’ve been struggling massively at finding grip in those kind of conditions. It’s hugely frustrating because it’s probably been my biggest strength in the junior categories.” His comments highlight a persistent issue that has plagued Ferrari over the years.
Team Dynamics and Past Experiences
Leclerc emphasized the need for the team to reassess its approach to wet weather. “We are doing something wrong. I have no idea what that is because we’ve turned the car upside down. We’ve had Lewis and obviously Carlos [Sainz] who joined other teams and could tell us about the feeling they had with their cars,” he noted. “It’s just extremely difficult to find grip with our car, which leads to a lot of mistakes.”
Hamilton’s experience mirrored Leclerc’s frustrations. Despite being regarded as a skilled driver in wet conditions, he struggled throughout the qualifying session, having been eliminated in the first round. “The car was feeling great in FP3, and I honestly thought it was going to go well. I was really excited. Thought finally we’d have a good day, but it didn’t,” Hamilton remarked.
As the Las Vegas Grand Prix approaches, the pressure mounts on Ferrari to improve its performance. With only three races remaining in the season, the team’s hopes for a victory hang in the balance. The comments from Ferrari president John Elkann, who urged the drivers to “focus on driving and talk less,” underscore the urgency for change within the team. Both Leclerc and Hamilton will need to rally their skills to overcome the challenges and avoid a winless season in 2025.
