Vasseur downplays Leclerc's 'now or never' comment for Ferrari

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has dismissed Charles Leclerc's recent "now or never" declaration as an emotional post-race reaction, emphasizing the team's consistent, constructive drive for improvement regardless of on-track results. The comment came after a winless 2024 season and ahead of a crucial 2026 regulation reset, highlighting the pressure on the Scuderia to end its championship drought.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's statement underscores the intense pressure and urgency within Ferrari as it enters a critical phase. With major technical regulations looming in 2026, the team faces a pivotal window to build a title-contending car and capitalize on Leclerc's prime years, making his sentiment a reflection of the team's high-stakes reality.

The details:

• Vasseur contextualized Leclerc's comment, suggesting it was made in the heat of the moment immediately after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and does not reflect his usual, more measured mindset.
• He stressed that the fundamental approach within the team—a relentless focus on improving every performance pillar—remains unchanged whether they finish first or tenth.
• Vasseur framed this constant push for betterment as standard operating procedure across the entire F1 grid, citing examples like Max Verstappen at Red Bull and Lando Norris at McLaren.

The big picture:

Ferrari's last Constructors' Championship was in 2008, and Leclerc is entering his eighth season with the team still awaiting a car capable of a sustained title challenge. The 2026 regulation reset represents a golden opportunity for a team to leap forward, making the coming years arguably the most important in Ferrari's recent history to finally convert potential into championships.

What's next:

The focus for Ferrari shifts entirely to the development of its 2025 car and, more importantly, the foundational work for the 2026 project. Vasseur's calm public response aims to project stability and a process-driven culture, but the underlying expectation—internally and from fans—is that this period must yield tangible competitive progress to match Leclerc's championship ambitions.