Charles Leclerc’s promising weekend at the 2025 Hungary Grand Prix ended in frustration as a suspected chassis issue with Ferrari’s SF-25 car caused a dramatic loss of pace, dropping him from pole position to fourth place. Despite leading the first 28 laps at Hungaroring, Leclerc struggled after lap 40, finishing 37 seconds behind race winner Lando Norris of McLaren. Team principal Frederic Vasseur labeled the final stint a “disaster,” noting the car became nearly undrivable. The team is investigating whether damage to the chassis or tire pressure issues triggered the problem. Leclerc voiced frustration over the radio, criticizing the team’s lack of response to his feedback. Ferrari, still winless in 2025, faces mounting pressure, with Lewis Hamilton also struggling, finishing 12th. The team aims to resolve these issues before the Dutch Grand Prix in late August.
Leclerc’s pole had raised hopes for Ferrari’s first victory of the season, but the sudden performance drop crushed those expectations. Hamilton’s ongoing challenges with the SF-25 added to the team’s woes, as he failed to advance past Q2.
- Pole position: Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first pole of 2025.
- Race result: Leclerc dropped to fourth after leading early.
- Vasseur’s view: Final stint was a “disaster” due to technical issues.
- Hamilton’s struggle: Finished 12th, called his performance “useless.”
Technical setback in Hungary
Leclerc’s pole position in Hungary sparked optimism, outpacing McLaren’s dominant cars. However, his pace plummeted after lap 40, losing up to two seconds per lap. Initially, Leclerc suspected issues with wing adjustments, but Vasseur clarified it was related to energy management, possibly compounded by chassis damage. The car’s instability led to a tense moment when Leclerc nearly collided with George Russell’s Mercedes. Ferrari suspects the issue mirrors a prior assoalho problem that caused a disqualification in China earlier this season.
The team plans to conduct thorough tests during the summer break to pinpoint the cause, focusing on the chassis and tire pressure systems. This setback highlights ongoing reliability issues for Ferrari in 2025.
- Pace drop: Leclerc lost 37 seconds to Norris in the final 30 laps.
- Suspected cause: Chassis damage or tire pressure issues.
- Radio tension: Leclerc criticized team’s lack of response.
- Next steps: Ferrari to investigate during summer break.
Hamilton’s ongoing struggles
Lewis Hamilton endured another tough weekend, finishing 12th in both qualifying and the race. The seven-time champion expressed frustration, even questioning his role at Ferrari after failing to adapt to the SF-25 on Hungaroring’s tight layout. Vasseur defended Hamilton, noting that his Q2 elimination was due to minor factors like traffic, with only a tenth of a second separating him from Leclerc.
Hamilton’s inconsistent season, marked by four Q2 exits and only one podium in Belgium, underscores the challenges of his transition to Ferrari. The team remains optimistic about his potential as the season progresses.
- Hamilton’s result: 12th in qualifying and race.
- Frustration: Described his performance as “useless.”
- Vasseur’s defense: Blamed external factors for Q2 exit.
- Season stats: Hamilton sits sixth in the drivers’ championship.
Ferrari’s strategic challenges
Ferrari introduced a new rear suspension in Belgium to improve performance in slow corners, yielding positive results in qualifying. Leclerc’s pole in Hungary showed promise, but the race exposed weaknesses in tire management and car reliability. Vasseur noted that Ferrari matched McLaren’s pace in the first two stints, but the final stint’s collapse erased their competitiveness.
Sitting second in the constructors’ championship, Ferrari trails McLaren by a significant margin. The lack of wins in 2025 has intensified scrutiny on the team’s strategy and technical decisions.
- Upgrade: New rear suspension debuted in Belgium.
- Race pace: Ferrari competitive in first two stints.
- Constructors’ standings: Second, far behind McLaren.
- Pressure: Team seeks first win of 2025.
Paddock reactions
Leclerc’s radio outbursts highlighted tensions within Ferrari, as he urged the team to heed his feedback during the race. A five-second penalty for a defensive move against Russell did not affect his final position but added to his frustration. Vasseur downplayed the incident, focusing on the need to resolve the technical issue.
In the paddock, Ferrari’s performance sparked debate. Analysts criticized the team’s communication with drivers, while McLaren’s dominance, led by Norris’s victory, underscored the gap Ferrari needs to close.
- Leclerc’s radio: Urged team to listen to his suggestions.
- Penalty: Five seconds for move against Russell.
- Paddock talk: Ferrari’s communication under scrutiny.
- McLaren’s edge: Norris led a dominant weekend.
Focus on the Dutch Grand Prix
With the summer break before the Dutch Grand Prix, Ferrari has time to address the Hungary issues. Vasseur emphasized leveraging the positives, like Leclerc’s pole and early race pace. The team will conduct tests to confirm whether chassis damage, tire pressure, or other factors caused the problem.
Leclerc remains focused on the second half of the season, viewing Hungary as a missed opportunity for a rare 2025 victory. Ferrari aims to refine the SF-25 to challenge McLaren more consistently.
- Summer break: Time for technical analysis and fixes.
- Focus areas: Chassis, tire pressure, and reliability.
- Leclerc’s outlook: Hungary was a key chance for a win.
- Next race: Dutch Grand Prix in late August.