Charles Leclerc expressed frustration after finishing sixth in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, particularly following Ferrari’s underwhelming qualifying session. The Monegasque driver had to watch teammate Lewis Hamilton outpace him for the first time in a Grand Prix this season (excluding sprint races), as Hamilton climbed to a strong fourth-place finish.
Both Ferrari drivers were knocked out in Q2 during Saturday’s qualifying, landing Leclerc and Hamilton in 11th and 12th on the grid — the team’s worst qualifying result of the season so far. Though they recovered well on race day, Leclerc was clearly disappointed with the team’s performance heading into the weekend.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Leclerc said, “This was one of those races where you have to fight with heart and be aggressive. You’re constantly pushing the limits, sometimes going a bit over. But starting from P11—honestly, I can’t accept that kind of situation. It’s not where we should be.”
In contrast, Hamilton took a more optimistic view, reflecting positively on both the race and his growing connection with Ferrari, especially in front of the passionate home crowd at Imola. “I felt we made progress this weekend,” said the seven-time champion. “The setup felt great, the team executed well on strategy and pit stops, and I finally felt that synergy with the car. There’s more to come.”
As the F1 calendar moves on to Monaco — Leclerc’s home Grand Prix and a race he won last year — he admitted concerns about Ferrari’s performance on the tight, low-speed circuit. “Monaco really highlights the weaknesses of our car,” Leclerc said.
However, Hamilton remains hopeful. “The key will be getting the tyres in the right window for a flying lap. If we crack that, we could be in a strong position,” he added.
With mounting pressure and mixed expectations, Ferrari enters the next race weekend under close watch.
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