Charles Leclerc delivered a standout performance in qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix, securing third place and signaling that Ferrari’s latest upgrades to the SF-25 are steering the team “in the right direction.”
While Ferrari’s new rear suspension failed to make an immediate impact on Friday and during Saturday’s Sprint, where Leclerc finished well adrift of the leaders, the Scuderia driver was buoyed by the fine-tuning work on the car’s package that has improved the feel and one-lap pace in qualifying.
The Monegasque driver’s sublime final lap in Q3 outpaced Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, positioning him as the closest challenger to the dominant McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
“I think we expected to be P4, but with a significant gap in front,” Leclerc told the media after the grid-defining session.
“At the end, the gap is still significant, but a little bit less than what we initially expected. So I think that’s positive.
“We brought upgrades this weekend, which have been working since the beginning. But we had to do some fine-tunings from yesterday to today and it’s going in the right direction. So I’m very happy.”
A Return to One-Lap Form
Leclerc, long considered one of the sport’s top qualifying performers, has endured a frustrating run of Saturdays in 2025, concluding nine sessions out of thirteen outside of the top three.
But in Spa, the 26-year-old looked more like his old self.
“I think it was also a really, really good lap. So, I don’t think I left much on the table with the potential that we had today,” he said.
“So for that, I’m happy as well. However, it’s only a P3, so now we’ll see what we can do tomorrow.”
©Ferrari
Leclerc was indeed cautious not to overstate the turnaround, acknowledging that Spa's high-grip conditions may have flattered the SF-25’s performance.
“It’s a little bit better, I think that’s what helped me also a little bit this weekend to be a bit more consistent [with] the lap times in qualifying.
“I think both yesterday in Sprint Qualifying and today in qualifying came together a bit easier. That’s been my strength normally, but this year I’ve been struggling a little bit more to put everything together.
“Qualifying this weekend seems to be better, but we just need to prove that over multiple race weekends.
“Also, because the grip this weekend here is incredible. There’s so much grip, but that’s not only for us, I think for everybody.
“So generally this makes it easier. So we’ll have to prove that on a track that is a bit trickier.”
Upgrades Point to Progress — But Not a Breakthrough
Ferrari’s latest developments have lifted the team’s hopes, but Leclerc urged a measured perspective on what the changes can realistically achieve in the short term.
“A little bit, but then I think, as always, and especially for our team, everything is hyped up a lot,” he said. “So yes, it’s an upgrade and it’s a step in the right direction, but we are still speaking about very fine differences of a whole lap.
“So it feels a little bit different and it’s going in the right direction. And again, that’s thanks to the hard work that the whole team has done back at the factory.”
However, with McLaren also rolling out updates in Belgium and continuing their impressive run, Leclerc conceded that Ferrari still faces a steep climb to consistently challenge for the front row.
“Unfortunately for us, McLaren has also brought a few things this weekend and seem to have done a small step in the right direction as well.
“So it’s very difficult to close the gap, but I think we are doing a good job as a team and we just need to keep working.”
In closing, Leclerc praised the trajectory of development, even if it’s not yet enough to vault Ferrari back into victory contention.
“Once again, as I was saying, however, like compared to the McLaren, I think we are probably average three, four tenths behind in qualifying.
“We’ll do a step forward. I don’t think though that we’ll find those three, four tenths in that upgrade, but it will help us to get closer.
“And I think the more we use it we’ll be able to maximise this and there’ll be some more potential to gain. But no, I don’t think it’s enough to be able to challenge the McLaren consistently from now on.”
As Sunday’s Grand Prix approaches, Leclerc’s Spa resurgence offers Ferrari a glimmer of optimism – even if the road to the top remains a long and winding one.
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