Ferrari Boss Points Finger at Leclerc After Losing P2 in Constructors’ Battle
The tension inside Ferrari appears to be boiling over after the team narrowly missed out on second place in the 2024 Constructors’ Championship. In a move that has surprised many, Ferrari’s team principal publicly pointed to Charles Leclerc’s mistakes as a key reason for the defeatescalating internal pressure at the Scuderia ahead of a transformative 2025 season.
A Costly Miss for Maranello
Ferrari’s 2024 campaign was a rollercoaster brilliant highs, painful lows, and a season-long battle for second place behind the all-dominant Red Bull Racing. Ultimately, they fell short, losing P2 in the Constructors’ standings to Mercedes by a narrow margin.
While Ferrari took a clear step forward in terms of pace and consistency this season, several key moments cost them valuable points many of which came down to driver errors, strategy miscalculations, or reliability gremlins.
But what grabbed headlines after the season finale was the post-race debrief, where Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur openly blamed some of the dropped points on Charles Leclerc the team’s lead driver and long-time golden boy.
Vasseur’s Comments Stir the Paddock
Speaking to media following the final race of the season, Vasseur didn’t hold back.
“We were in a position to finish P2. We had the car, we had the upgrades, and we had the strategy right most of the time. But you can’t afford mistakes at this level. Charles had a few weekends that simply weren’t good enough and it cost us big points,” Vasseur said.
While he did balance the statement with praise for Leclerc’s raw pace and qualifying performances, the tone marked a shift. Rarely has a Ferrari boss publicly singled out a driver, particularly one with Leclerc’s status, for such a high-profile failure.
Where Did It Go Wrong?
Leclerc’s 2024 season had moments of brilliance: multiple podiums, a pole position at Monaco, and a heroic drive in Singapore. But it was also marred by inconsistency and a handful of high-profile incidents:
- Spain: A spin in qualifying that left him starting in the midfield.
- Hungary: A time penalty for pit-lane speeding that cost crucial points.
- Las Vegas: A late-race overtake attempt that ended in contact and retirement.
Each of these moments, in isolation, may seem minor—but in a tight Constructors’ battle, every single point matters.
Carlos Sainz, by contrast, delivered a steadier campaign—although he too had his struggles. Still, the implication from Vasseur’s remarks is clear: Ferrari expected more leadership and consistency from Leclerc.
Leclerc’s Response
Charles Leclerc, never one to shy away from responsibility, responded to the comments with professionalism but a hint of frustration.
“I always expect more from myself. I know where I made mistakes, and I’ll own them. But I also think we win and lose as a team. That’s always been Ferrari’s philosophy. We have work to do on all fronts not just behind the wheel.”
His words reflect a maturing driver under immense pressure not just to perform, but to carry the hopes of an entire nation and an iconic team desperate to return to championship form.
Internal Tensions or Strategic Messaging?
Some analysts believe Vasseur’s comments are part of a calculated strategy—meant to motivate, not to divide. With Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari in 2025, the internal dynamics are about to shift dramatically. Leclerc will no longer be the unquestioned number one. The team is preparing for a future with two alpha drivers.
In that context, Vasseur’s tough words could be a signal: Ferrari expects perfection—and no one, not even Charles, is immune to criticism.
What It Means for 2025
With Hamilton arriving and the team aiming to mount a serious title challenge, Ferrari is entering a high-stakes phase. The pressure on Leclerc will be immense: not only to prove he’s still the team’s best chance at glory, but to assert himself against one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
He’ll need to eliminate the small errors, extract consistent performance from the car, and become a ruthless point scorer traits that have defined championship-winning drivers in the past.
And most of all, he’ll need to show that he can handle the pressure not just from the paddock, but from within his own garage.
Conclusion: A Line in the Sand
Ferrari’s decision to publicly call out Charles Leclerc marks a turning point in their internal culture. No longer content with near-misses and podiums, the Scuderia is adopting a zero-tolerance attitude toward failure.
For Leclerc, the message is clear: 2025 is not just another season it’s a career-defining moment.
The question now is simple: can he rise to the challenge?