Ferrari’s mid-season slump prevented Charles Leclerc from fighting for last year’s title. However, Leclerc is optimistic that Ferrari will be competitive enough to put the Championship within reach. The Monegasque also believes he knows how to handle Max Verstappen.
Charles Leclerc reveals 2025 mentality to challenge Verstappen
Since joining Ferrari in 2019, the conditions have never been better for Charles Leclerc to mount a title charge.
Under the leadership of Fred Vasseur, the Scuderia have rebounded from their disappointing 2023 campaign.
Not only did Ferrari make huge strides in the winter break, but they out-developed Red Bull during the course of the season.
Even with their Spanish GP updates derailing their progress, Ferrari reasserted itself as a top team in the second half of the year.
As reported previously by LWOS, the Maranello-based outfit are taking risks with their 2025 package. They are confident in building upon the foundations established in last year’s car.
Inevitably, becoming F1 World Champion this year will require defeating Max Verstappen.
Aside from brief glimpses at the start of 2022, Leclerc and Verstappen have rarely fought when the stakes are highest.
Leclerc ready for a Championship battle
However, that could change this season. Ferrari’s trajectory should put them in a position to fight for the drivers title – which both Leclerc and Hamilton will be aiming for.
Looking ahead to this season, Leclerc is prepared to adjust to the demands of the Championship.
“You’ve got to pick your battles,” he told RacingNews365.
“And I feel like Max knows how to adapt to different situations, and we’ve seen it. There were moments [last season] where he was not aggressive.
“But when the end of the season arrived, and Lando was coming back there, you could see him play with the rules a lot more. And I feel like I’ve got that in me.”
Aside from Verstappen’s obvious pace, his willingness to push the boundaries is what makes him such a formidable opponent.
Charles Leclerc is aware of this, and has no intentions of backing down:
“I know that whenever big things will be at stake, when it will be the moment to take those risks with the right people, I’ll go for it.
“But that’s also why I’ve always enjoyed racing with Max, the mentality of the driver is a big part.”
Fine margins at the front
Alongside what could be a fascinating title battle this year, development for the 2026 regulations will be central.
Ferrari have made no secret that getting off to a strong start with the new generation of F1 cars is a priority. However, this does not mean they are writing off this season.
If anything, Fred Vasseur’s personnel pivoted their focus to 2025 relatively early last season.
Unlike Red Bull, who worked until final rounds to find more performance, Ferrari only brought minor updates after their Monza upgrade package.
The effectiveness of these upgrades (which propelled Leclerc to victory) gave the team enough confidence to push ahead with development.
As it stands, there are several teams aiming for the Championship this year. Any of the top four teams could make a big enough step to establish a buffer to their rivals.
However, the more likely scenario is an intense scramble at the front. Should this be the case, Leclerc and Verstappen will almost certainly clash.
