Charles Leclerc has voiced his frustration over Ferrari’s performance following the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, calling the outcome “unacceptable” given the high expectations surrounding the race on home soil.
Leclerc, who finished sixth at Imola, was outperformed by his teammate Lewis Hamilton for the first time at the iconic circuit, marking a difficult weekend for the Scuderia. Max Verstappen of Red Bull claimed victory after executing a stunning first-lap overtake on Oscar Piastri’s McLaren.
Ferrari’s weekend got off to a poor start as both Leclerc and Hamilton failed to make it into Q3 during qualifying, resulting in starting positions of 11th and 12th on the grid. This was a major blow for Ferrari, given the high hopes for the race at their home circuit.
After the race, Leclerc was candid about his dissatisfaction with the team’s performance and the lack of competitiveness.
“I said before the race that Imola is one of those places where you need to race with your heart and be aggressive,” Leclerc said. But as a motorist, I find it unacceptable that we are in P11. We must be far superior to this.
Leclerc’s teammate, Lewis Hamilton, had a more positive view of the weekend, expressing satisfaction with his own performance. The 40-year-old British driver praised the team for their hard work, citing a noticeable improvement in car setup and strategy.
“I knew we could make progress this weekend, and I think there’s more to come,” Hamilton said. “The guys performed the plan flawlessly, and the automobile felt fantastic. Although the season has been difficult thus far, particularly in qualifying, this was a positive development.
Looking ahead, the Formula 1 calendar moves to Monaco, Leclerc’s home Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver won the race the last time it was held, but experts warn that Ferrari may face similar challenges next week unless significant improvements are made to the car’s performance.