Leclerc Demands Ferrari Team Orders After Qualifying Sacrifice
Frustration Mounts as Leclerc Urges Ferrari to Prioritize Race Strategy Over Internal Competition
During the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Charles Leclerc voiced his frustration over Ferrari’s team dynamics, emphasizing the need for strategic decisions that favor race performance over intra-team rivalry.
Key Points:
Qualifying Strategy: Leclerc opted to forgo a second run in Q3 to conserve tires for the race, resulting in a seventh-place start. This decision was made with the expectation of a stronger race performance.
Race Dynamics: Early in the race, Leclerc found himself behind teammate Lewis Hamilton, who was struggling with pace. Despite Leclerc’s evident speed advantage, Hamilton defended his position, leading to Leclerc expressing his concerns over team radio.
Team Radio Message: Leclerc communicated to the team, stating, “Guys, I sacrificed my qualifying to be fast in the race, not so that we end up holding each other up. So, yeah. You decide how much quicker I can go; I can only tell you that if I get clean air. Right now, I’m stuck.”
Team Orders Issued: Following Leclerc’s message, Ferrari instructed Hamilton to allow Leclerc to pass. This move enabled Leclerc to capitalize on his race strategy, ultimately securing a third-place finish.
Ongoing Team Order Discussions: This incident adds to a series of team order decisions within Ferrari, highlighting the challenges of managing two high-profile drivers and the importance of clear strategic planning.
Leclerc’s assertiveness underscores the critical balance teams must maintain between individual driver strategies and overall team success. As the season progresses, Ferrari’s approach to team orders will be pivotal in their pursuit of championship contention.
