Charles Leclerc expressed confidence in Ferrari’s prospects for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix, pinning hopes on new car components to help the iconic Italian team close the gap to their Formula 1 rivals. Speaking during Thursday’s media day at the Bahrain International Circuit, the Monegasque driver acknowledged the challenges faced by Ferrari in the 2025 season so far but remained optimistic about the team’s trajectory.
Ferrari has endured a tough start to the campaign, currently sitting fourth in the Constructors’ Championship after failing to match the pace of front-runners like McLaren and Mercedes in the opening three races. A double disqualification for Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton in China further hampered their points tally, leaving the Scuderia searching for answers. However, with a suite of upgrades set to debut on the SF-25 this weekend, Leclerc believes the team is poised to take a step forward.
“We’ve got some new bits on the car coming here, which I hope will help us to close that gap a little bit,” Leclerc said. “It’s still quite a significant step to catch up completely, but I’m confident these parts will bring us closer to where we need to be.”
The upgrades, reportedly including a revised floor, diffuser, and rear wing modifications, aim to address the SF-25’s performance deficits, particularly in terms of balance and downforce. Ferrari’s struggles have been most evident in qualifying, where they’ve trailed McLaren by approximately three-tenths of a second, a gap Leclerc referenced as a key target for improvement.
“In Suzuka, we saw the true pace difference, and it’s clear we need to work hard to close that three-tenths deficit,” he noted. “What we’re bringing here won’t solve everything immediately, but it’s a start. I’m hopeful that in the short term, we’ll have more updates to keep pushing us forward.”
Leclerc’s teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, echoed his optimism, highlighting the team’s improved understanding of the car since pre-season testing at the same circuit. “We’ve done a lot of work since the test here, and with the upgrades, I’m feeling positive,” Hamilton said. “It’s about extracting more from the car, and I think we’re on the right path.”
Ferrari’s upgrades come at a critical juncture, with the Bahrain Grand Prix marking the second leg of a triple-header that includes Japan and Miami. The hotter conditions in Sakhir could play to Ferrari’s strengths, as Leclerc suggested the team might find an edge in warmer temperatures compared to the cooler climates of earlier races.
However, the weekend won’t be without its challenges. Leclerc will sit out the first free practice session (FP1) to make way for Ferrari Driver Academy star Dino Beganovic, who will make his F1 debut as part of new regulations requiring teams to field rookie drivers twice per car during the season. Hamilton will lead the evaluation of the new floor in FP1, with a direct comparison of specifications planned to assess the upgrades’ impact.
Team principal Fred Vasseur admitted Ferrari’s start to 2025 has been “not ideal” but emphasized the importance of a measured approach. “We’re not going to close a three- or four-tenths gap in one go,” Vasseur said. “These upgrades are about building momentum and fixing the balance issues we’ve seen. Bahrain gives us a chance to measure our progress on a track we know well.”