Charles Leclerc’s 2024 Monaco Grand Prix victory was a career-defining moment—finally breaking his home race curse and becoming the first Monegasque to win in Monte Carlo since Louis Chiron in 1931. Now, as the 2025 edition approaches, the question looms: can Leclerc repeat that triumph amid Ferrari’s current struggles?
A Historic Win in 2024
Last year, Leclerc delivered a flawless performance, securing pole position and leading every lap to clinch his first Monaco Grand Prix victory. He held off McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by over seven seconds, with teammate Carlos Sainz completing the podium. This win not only ended Leclerc’s personal Monaco drought but also marked Ferrari’s first victory at the circuit since 2017.
2025: A Season of Struggles
The 2025 season has been challenging for Ferrari. The SF-25 car has underperformed, particularly in qualifying sessions. At the recent Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, both Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton failed to progress past Q2, qualifying 11th and 12th respectively. Although they managed to finish sixth and fourth in the race, the lack of qualifying pace remains a significant concern.
Leclerc has expressed his frustration, stating, “I just cannot accept the situation we are in.” Team Principal Fred Vasseur acknowledges the urgency to improve qualifying performance, emphasizing that the car’s race pace is competitive but compromised by poor starting positions.
Ferrari’s Technical Challenges
The SF-25’s design limitations, particularly its inability to run low to the ground without bottoming out, have hindered its performance. This issue affects the car’s downforce and stability, especially in high-speed corners. Ferrari plans to introduce a new rear suspension system at Silverstone in July to address these problems. However, these updates will not be available in time for Monaco, leaving the team to rely on existing setups.
The Importance of Qualifying in Monaco
Monaco’s narrow and twisty street circuit makes overtaking extremely difficult, placing a premium on qualifying performance. Historically, securing pole position has been crucial for victory. Leclerc’s 2024 win from pole exemplifies this trend. Given Ferrari’s current qualifying struggles, replicating such a performance will be challenging.
Can Leclerc Shine Again?
Despite the hurdles, Leclerc’s familiarity with the Monaco circuit and his determination cannot be underestimated. If Ferrari can optimize their setup and Leclerc delivers a stellar qualifying lap, a podium finish is within reach. However, with McLaren and Red Bull currently leading the Constructors’ Championship, the competition will be fierce.
Monaco Grand Prix 2025 Schedule
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Friday, May 23:
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Practice 1: 12:30 PM BST
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Practice 2: 4:00 PM BST
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Saturday, May 24:
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Practice 3: 11:30 AM BST
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Qualifying: 3:00 PM BST
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Sunday, May 25:
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Race: 2:00 PM BST
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UK viewers can watch the event live on Sky Sports F1 or stream via the Sky app or NowTV, with Channel 4 offering highlights.
