Leclerc – Foto: Michael Potts F1 / Shutterstock.com
Charles Leclerc finished the Singapore Grand Prix in sixth place this Sunday, October 6, 2025, after starting from seventh on the Marina Bay Circuit. The Ferrari driver attributed the below-expectations performance to a problem in the brake system, which also affected Lewis Hamilton and resulted in a penalty for the Briton. The failure compromised the Italian team’s pace for most of the race, won by George Russell of Mercedes.
The race marked the third consecutive victory for a team outside the leader McLaren, which sealed the constructors’ title, but highlighted Ferrari’s difficulties in keeping pace with rivals.
Leclerc advanced in the early laps, but from the eighth lap onward, brake management became the main focus of the strategy.
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— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) October 7, 2025
Leclerc’s statements on the issue
The Monegasque highlighted that the Singapore track requires constant brake management, but Ferrari faced a more severe situation than competitors.
“From lap 8 onward, it all came down to managing the brakes. I think everyone needs to manage them to some extent on a track like this. But I think we were in a worse situation than the others,” Leclerc said after the race.
He lamented the limitation imposed by the car, which left him without real chances to fight for the top positions.
Impact on Hamilton’s performance
Lewis Hamilton suffered more intensely from the failure in the final laps, leading to track excursions and a five-second penalty.
The seven-time champion, who cleared the way for Leclerc, dropped from seventh to eighth place, benefiting Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin.
Mercedes, despite the issue, saw Russell claim victory and reduce the gap in the championship.
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur confirmed that pace improved when pushing, but that was only feasible for minimal fractions of the race.
Technical analysis of the brakes
- Ferrari’s brake system showed accelerated wear due to the Marina Bay Circuit layout, with tight corners and high braking demands.
- Engineers reported the issue emerged after the early laps, possibly linked to an inadequate initial adjustment in hydraulic pressure.
- Compared to rivals like McLaren and Red Bull, the Italian car lost up to 0.5 seconds per lap in critical braking sectors.
- Post-race tests indicate the problem isn’t limited to Singapore but may persist on similar tracks until Austin.
Vasseur emphasized that, despite speed peaks, brake instability reduced Ferrari’s overall consistency across the 62 laps of the race.
The team now analyzes data for fixes before the next round, prioritizing durability in high-temperature conditions.
Ferrari’s position in the championship
Ferrari held third place in the Constructors’ Championship but saw the gap to runner-up Mercedes grow from four to 27 points.
Russell expanded Mercedes’ lead with his win, while McLaren, even without victory, confirmed the mathematical title.
Leclerc pointed to Ferrari’s stagnation relative to rivals, with McLaren and Red Bull advancing since Monza.
Mercedes also matched the top tier, leaving the Italian team isolated in the midfield battle.
Team and rivals’ reactions
The brake issue sparked internal discussions at Ferrari about pending 2025 chassis updates.
Vasseur stressed the need for balance between performance and reliability, without revealing an improvement timeline.
Alonso, who gained a position from Hamilton’s penalty, publicly criticized the Briton’s driving under technical limitation.
Red Bull, meanwhile, celebrated its step forward in Singapore, with Max Verstappen finishing on the podium.
Next challenges in the season
Formula 1 returns on October 19 with the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas, the 19th of 24 rounds.
The Texas track, with long straights and varied braking zones, will test Ferrari’s brake fixes.
Leclerc expects gains from announced aerodynamic updates for Austin, aiming to reduce the current disadvantage.
The season remains open in the Drivers’ Championship, with Verstappen leading, but Ferrari focuses on consistency for the rest of the year.
