F1, Ferrari: Charles Leclerc sinks the blow again

Already certain of a fifth place finish in the standings (only in 2020 and 2021 did he do worse, finishing eighth and seventh respectively), Charles Leclerc is aiming to end the season with a smile, although the results of Friday’s double free practice session are difficult to interpret: in fact, the Monegasque took a promising third place in FP1, just 16 thousandths from the fastest time set by Lando Norris, only to have to settle for eighth in FP2, more than five tenths from the top, still occupied by the current World Championship leader. At the microphones of the official F1 channels, Leclerc told about his feelings, without hiding.

Francesco Lucivero

“I don’t have high hopes for the rest of the weekend, at least I don’t have any yet – sentenced the driver of the number 16 car -. We are really trying everything, in the last two-three races we have been missing something but we haven’t figured out precisely what yet. We have to keep working to fix it before qualifying. FP1 together with my brother Arthur? I can say that was the’only positive aspect of this day, otherwise we had a little bit of difficulty”. Arthur Leclerc, who by rule could take advantage of a free practice session by taking the place (in this case) of Lewis Hamilton, finished FP1 in 16th position, 859 thousandths behind his older brother.

Charles Leclerc finally confirmed the desire of the whole environment of the Cavallino to want to put an end to a disappointing season: “I am happy that it was the last Friday of the year, considering also the general moment ’he said -. I would like to finish with a great result but we have to be realistic, at the moment I don&#8217t feel there are the right conditions. In any case, I am determined to do everything I can to get a positive result and end the season in the best possible way” he then concluded Leclerc, who in Abu Dhabi celebrates his 150th race weekend behind the wheel of Ferrari in Formula 1.

In 2025, Charles Leclerc was the only one among the two Ferrari drivers to finish on the podium, finishing second in Monte Carlo and Mexico and third in Saudi Arabia, Barcelona, Austria, and the long races at Spa and Austin.