Leclerc laments Ferrari’s lack of competitiveness in Singapore
The driver Charles Leclerc expressed his disappointment after the Singapore Grand Prix, where Ferrari failed to demonstrate the expected performance. Leclerc admitted that it is “an unpleasant feeling” to have to reassess expectations with a car that does not compete at the highest level, while watching his rivals fight for victories. While Ferrari has yet to achieve any victories in 2026, its competitors McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes have each won at least two races, and all three have achieved a victory since the summer break. George Russell gave Mercedes their second victory of the year at the Singapore Grand Prix, while Leclerc and his teammate Lewis Hamilton struggled to obtain a distant sixth and eighth place, respectively, both with brake problems.From lap eight, basically everything was about managing those brakes. It made our race very, very complicated.
Charles Leclerc
Since the end of the race, a video of Leclerc having to lift and slow down while being overtaken by the Mercedes driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, has gone viral.
Leclerc went on to explain that Mercedes is now at the same level as McLaren and Red Bull, and that Ferrari is in a less favorable position. The driver admitted that it is not easy, as they want to fight for better positions, but that at the moment they feel like “passengers” in the car, without being able to extract much more than what is there. Leclerc tried to appear optimistic about the season, but acknowledged that it is not easy. He stated that every time they don’t fight for victories, it’s difficult, and that after a year like the previous one, where they competed for the World Championship, expectations are high.Unfortunately, we don’t have the race car to fight with those in front. McLaren always had the same gap to us compared to the beginning of the year. Red Bull took a step from Monza and the same level of McLaren.
Charles Leclerc
When asked if it’s difficult to manage the feeling of frustration from a year like 2025, he replied that it requires a lot of energy, but that, instead of demotivating him, it motivates him even more to try to change the situation. Leclerc concluded that it’s very hard, especially after a race like today’s, where they don’t even fight for a podium and have to deal with many problems. “It’s simply not a pleasant feeling.”You have to lower your expectations from the start, and you don’t even see a progression throughout the year… It’s not easy.
Charles Leclerc
