Charles Leclerc says the prospect of an intra-team battle with Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton is just not of instant concern, significantly as they're “not combating for very fascinating positions” in Components 1 2025.
Though Ferrari has confirmed itself able to securing occasional podiums thus far this 12 months, these have been irregular at finest; Leclerc has 4 podiums throughout the opening 12 rounds, whereas Hamilton is but to attain a top-three end in grand prix trim this season.
Each Ferrari drivers spoke forward of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix on their willingness to supply the group suggestions on the place they really feel it wants to enhance to be in title rivalry, with Hamilton stating that Ferrari is “not firing on all cylinders”.
As such, driving the Maranello outfit ahead is the main focus. Leclerc says that this very a lot has priority in his thoughts for the remainder of 2025 relatively than beating Hamilton.
The Monegasque said that battling together with his team-mate over the lesser factors placings is of little curiosity to him, and that Hamilton is just not presently his “goal”.
“It is one thing that actually is within the background for now,” stated Leclerc. “You are at all times it in a technique or one other, however to be sincere, when you find yourself combating for fourth, fifth, sixth, it is probably not one thing that pursuits me that a lot.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photograph by: Andy Hone/ LAT Photographs through Getty Photographs
“Then, in fact, once we begin to combat for wins, then you definitely take a look at these issues lots nearer.
“But it surely's probably not been a part of my… I used to be simply right here to attempt to be taught as a lot as doable from Lewis of what I may be taught, what may gain advantage me as a driver, after which concentrate on myself with the goal of doing the very best job, which suggests beating Lewis, however not solely.
“I feel the primary goal of the group and my fundamental goal in the intervening time is to carry Ferrari again to the highest. And, yeah, Lewis is just not my goal in the intervening time as a result of we're not combating for very fascinating positions.”
Ferrari has arrived in Belgium with a brand new rear suspension package deal, one which it examined on a filming day at Mugello final week. This ensured that any operating was solely cursory given the gap restrictions on any filming day checks.
Leclerc said that there was no actual distinction in behaviour from what he may inform in his preliminary run, however was eager to maintain a lid on any additional particulars in regards to the new geometry.
“We didn't [feel a difference in behaviour] and I am not going to remark the precise behaviours of this suspension,” stated Leclerc.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photographs through Getty Photographs
“Clearly, these are issues that stay for us and it could be fairly silly for us to remark it globally on what does what. However we'll discover out tomorrow on monitor.
“I do not assume [it will change how we set up the car]. I can discover the arrogance if I arrange the automobile otherwise. So, if I would like confidence, I will go for that.
“However for now, I favor to go for efficiency relatively than confidence. It does not at all times repay and I feel we have seen it final race weekend in Silverstone, the place clearly I had my struggles, which have been fairly massive on the moist.
“And I do know that that is the danger of operating such an excessive set-up. I do not assume this may enhance with that as a result of we nonetheless must arrange the automobile in a comparatively related place to be able to extract the utmost out of it. However I am completely satisfied to observe that path.”
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