Leclerc's Qatar Qualifying: Hope Fades After "Incredibly Difficult" Weekend

Charles Leclerc emerged from qualifying in Qatar with a hollow stare and a tone that made clear just how deeply the weekend has worn him down so far. After a bruising Sprint earlier in the day and a Q3 appearance that offered only momentary respite, the Monegasque wrapped up qualifying in 10th – and with it, any lingering optimism that Ferrari might salvage something meaningful from a relentlessly punishing weekend.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's profound frustration and admission of a fundamentally underperforming car highlight Ferrari's persistent struggles to deliver a consistently competitive package. His unusually bleak outlook for the race underscores the team's ongoing challenges in a season that has been largely disappointing, signaling deeper issues within the Maranello outfit.

The details:

• Difficult Weekend: Leclerc described the entire Qatar weekend as "unbelievably difficult," citing a car that is "really, really difficult to drive."
• Q3 Appearance: Despite the car's issues, Leclerc managed to push the SF-25 into Q3, securing 10th position. However, he found this achievement "frustrating" given the effort required and the final result.
• Risk Without Reward: Leclerc admitted to taking "a stupid amount of risks" in Q3 to gain a few positions, including a spin, but ultimately found "there wasn't anything more in the car."
• Teammate's Struggles: His teammate was eliminated in Q1, further illustrating Ferrari's car performance issues at Lusail.
• Fundamental Car Issues: Leclerc believes the problem lies with the car itself, stating, "The car is just not fast enough" and that various setup changes and approaches yielded no improvement. He noted the car lacks performance rather than having a "huge balance problem."

What's next:

Leclerc's optimism for Sunday's race is at an all-time low. He stated, "I struggle to find any optimism for tomorrow" and that a "good day tomorrow will be to keep the car on track and to score a few points." He hopes for a return to form in Abu Dhabi but acknowledged it wouldn't change the "very disappointing season." His subdued delivery indicates a significant hit to his usual fighting spirit, making the team's prospects for the remainder of the season, and even next year, a critical point of concern.