With only five Grand Prix races left, time is running out for Ferrari. The Italian team has yet to secure a victory in 2025, potentially marking the second time in the team’s history that they face a season without a win. Meanwhile, the title battle has erupted between Max Verstappen and the McLaren drivers. Leclerc is placing his bets on the McLaren drivers, though he acknowledges that ‘you can never rule out Max’.
A second-place finish at the GP Monaco is the highest Charles Leclerc has climbed on the podium this season. The Monegasque driver has managed to stand on the podium earlier in the season than his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion is still waiting for his turn to ascend the podium in Ferrari red, with only five Grand Prix races remaining.
Intense Title Battle Among Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen
The title fight has erupted among Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and Max Verstappen. However, Charles Leclerc does not believe that Ferrari can benefit from this situation. “I think the context is always important when you’re fighting someone, and in my case, I don’t have much to lose,” he tells Motorsport Week. “They (the McLaren drivers and Verstappen) have a lot to lose, so that gives a slight advantage. But to take advantage of that, I need to be able to keep up with their pace, and at the moment it doesn’t seem like we can keep up with the pace of both McLaren and Red Bull.”
Leclerc’s Bet on the McLaren Drivers
Therefore, the Monegasque driver is primarily playing a spectator role in the three-way battle. Leclerc does have an idea of who he would bet on. “Max always performs at a very high level,” says the Monegasque, who also notes how Red Bull has continued to develop the 2025 car longer than McLaren and Ferrari. “So his rise is not a complete surprise. However, I would be very surprised if he manages to win the championship from his current position.”
“I mean, again, he always performs excellently, but it’s still forty points and forty points is significant,” adds the Monegasque. “So yes, if I had to bet a dollar, I would probably bet on the McLaren drivers. Although you can never rule out Max.”
