Leclerc hoping Ferrari will ‘finally get back on top’ as 2025 ends in ‘disappointment’

Charles Leclerc challenged hard in Abu Dhabi but ultimately finished his season just off the podium in fourth after a spirited race where he came close to disrupting champion Lando Norris’ chances of taking the title.

A strong start at Yas Marina saw Leclerc overtake George Russell to run in fourth, within DRS range of Norris ahead. With the McLaren man needing to finish on the podium to take the title, Leclerc’s presence certainly caused some stress for the papaya team, but when his attempt at an undercut failed, Norris was able to pull away.

That left Leclerc a somewhat lonely fourth for the rest of the race, despite brief periods here he was able to close down Norris – but never enough to get back within DRS range of his quarry. While fourth is a decent result, Leclerc was hoping for more not just from the race, but the season as a whole.

“I gave it everything and our team executed the race perfectly. Unfortunately, P4 was all there was in it for us today,” Leclerc said after the race.

“I really wanted to finish the season on a high, bringing home a podium for everyone, and I was close to Lando in a few moments of the race, but it was not enough to make a pass.”

Leclerc was unable to hide his “disappointment” in a season that yielded no Grand Prix wins for Ferrari, although Lewis Hamilton did record one Sprint victory. Leclerc delivered one pole across the season, and seven podiums as he finished fifth in the Drivers’ Championship.

“I am very disappointed, very disappointed because in general once you are in the heat of the season, race after race, you try and keep your head high. You try and stay motivated, smile and think about the positives.

“But when the season ends, that’s where the disappointment is getting to me on a season like that. And I just need a few weeks' break, recharge the batteries and go again for next year. But it is the way it is, at least we finish on a slightly more positive note which is a good thing always.

“But the disappointment of the season is quite big.”

Ferrari finished fourth in the Constructors’, with their form very hit and miss throughout the season. The good news for the team is that the switch to focus on the 2026 car took place relatively early, meaning resources were diverted and what that cost the Scuderia in 2025 could be made up for with a strong challenge next season.

“The season has been very tough, true,” added Leclerc. “But there is still a lot of motivation as we think there is a big opportunity next year. So, it is up to us to take that opportunity, and we are working flat-out to achieve that. So, I hope that Ferrari will finally get back on top.”

Leclerc can at least take heart from out-performing his new team mate, scoring 86 more points than Hamilton across the year as both drivers turn their attention to a new era of F1 cars.