This F1 Dutch GP weekend is quite a tough one for Ferrari as Charles Leclerc faced a disappointing Qualifying, only finishing P6. While his FP sessions did not show much potential for a great flying lap, the Monegasque was disappointed by the SF-25’s lack of consistency. With the race coming up tomorrow, Leclerc remains unsure of whether the Scuderia will improve.
In terms of overall performance this season, the 27-year-old achieved some impressive results. With a number of podiums under his belt, his P5 in the championship is deserved. Although there is currently no pressure from behind, Leclerc will attempt to climb another place or two in the standings.
Difficulties with his Ferrari at the F1 Dutch GP
The Zandvoort brought to light the harsh realities of SF-25’s issues. Charles Leclerc was left down after his F1 Dutch GP Qualifying did not show much improvement compared to earlier sessions.
The driver from Monaco mentioned a lack of a good feeling from the car, which impacted his set-up and confidence. He was also frustrated at his personal efforts in Q3.
“Yeah, but it’s been a really difficult one. It’s the kind of weekend where I never really had the references going into Quali. I don’t really know still what to expect from the car. It was so inconsistent from FP1 to Qualifying that it was difficult to take good references. And that definitely didn’t help me.
“But, on the other hand, it’s not an excuse. I mean, I didn’t do a good job in Qualifying. Especially in Q3, I didn’t put my lap together. I think P4 realistically was the very best we could do with our car, but yeah, it is what it is,” admitted the Monegasque in the print media pen, taking on some of the blame for this poor result.
Nevertheless, no matter how hard he tried, the Ferrari driver just could not wish for a miracle to happen overnight. In a moment of quite tough sincerity, Leclerc confessed that P6 was all they could muster for the Dutch GP Qualifying. Considering his results in all three practice sessions, it was not a disaster.
“Yeah, I mean, unfortunately, it could have been worse. Which P6 normally should be the worst it can get, but it could have been worse. I mean, on a weekend like this, actually, P6 I think is our strongest session probably of the weekend. We’re maximising what we are having. However, I still believe I could have done a better job.”
Similarities to Hungary?
During the last round before summer break, Leclerc left both McLarens behind as he claimed pole in Qualifying. When comparing the two tracks, Hungaroring and Zandvoort, the downforce levels create similar race conditions. However, pole position was not in the cards for Leclerc and Ferrari.
In response to these strange discrepancies between the SF-25’s recent weekends, Charles Leclerc went on to emphasise that the F1 Dutch GP comes with a lot more long corners.
“I think it’s just the characteristics of this track that are highlighting our weaknesses. Like the long corners, 9 and 10, for example. It’s crazy how much we are losing in those two corners. Unfortunately, there’s not much we can do.”
Set-up changes and the lack of consistency
After Friday’s two FP sessions, it was clear as day that something had to change. While FP3 benefited from the set-up changes Charles Leclerc and Ferrari came up with, it was not enough to challenge for pole or the top 3 during the F1 Dutch GP Qualifying.
“A lot. A lot. Probably one of the biggest changes of this season from one day to another,” explained Leclerc, pointing out exactly how undrivable the car seems to be at Zandvoort. “That also doesn’t help, again, on the consistency of the weekend, on how to build a weekend nicely. That wasn’t easy, but it was what we had to do. Considering such a poor Friday we had yesterday, we had to do something.”
These trials and errors harmed his overall weekend. Yet, Leclerc recognised that these methods were the only way to salvage what was left of their F1 Dutch GP.
No clear improvements for 2025
During the F1 Hungarian GP, Leclerc lost a lot of speed, and he ended up finishing his race outside the podium, in P4. That whole weekend at the Hungaroring showcased Ferrari’s issues, which keep coming up with no full explanation.
The 27-year-old instead pointed out the inevitability of these problems continuing for the rest of the year. Despite his belief that the F1 Dutch GP issues come from the track’s challenging layout, Leclerc remains pessimistic about any magic fix.
“No, I mean, Hungary… It was issues that I think we’ll have again throughout the year at one point. Today, I think, it’s just characteristics of the corners. It has nothing to do with the problems we’ve had in Hungary. Yeah, I touch wood not to have to manage that again,” said the Monegasque, finishing his statements on a lighter and more hopeful note.
