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Charles Leclerc Apologizes to Ferrari after Dutch GP Qualifying Struggles

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Samriddhi Jaiswal | Last updated Aug 30, 2025 10:53 AM ET

Charles Leclerc endured a difficult Saturday at Zandvoort, finishing just sixth in Dutch GP qualifying before delivering a brutally honest apology to his Ferrari team over the radio.

The Monegasque driver cut a frustrated figure after failing to put together a clean lap in Q3, with his final run leaving him behind both Red Bulls, both McLarens, and Aston Martin rookie Isack Hadjar. Leclerc immediately shouldered the blame, describing his lap as “very,very disappointing.”

“Very very very [expletive] lap! Like omg, so disappointing… I am sorry you deserve better. This was really [expletive] from me…” Leclerc told his engineer moments after crossing the line.

Later, speaking to the media, he expanded on his frustration: “I’m very disappointed. Today I didn’t do the job in Q3, when you have to put the lap together. I haven’t managed it since the start of the weekend. I was always surprised by what the car was doing, but that’s not an excuse.”

Leclerc’s comments highlight both his accountability and the ongoing struggles Ferrari has faced in adapting to the unique demands of Zandvoort. While teammate Lewis Hamilton also suffered in qualifying, Leclerc’s willingness to take responsibility stood out. Ferrari had shown flashes of competitive pace earlier in the season, but consistency remains elusive.

The setback also adds to Leclerc’s difficult run of Saturdays in 2025, where strong free practice sessions have too often unraveled in qualifying. With Oscar Piastri securing pole for McLaren and Max Verstappen lining up only third in front of his home crowd, opportunities for a strong Ferrari result remain on Sunday. But Leclerc admitted he will need a sharper performance to deliver.

"i'm very disappointed. today I didn't do the job in Q3, when you have to put the lap together, which i haven't done since the beginning of the weekend. i was always surprised by what the car was doing, but that's not an excuse." pic.twitter.com/VY5SEYG0Rv
— clara (@leclercsletters) August 30, 2025

“I need to do better tomorrow,” he said firmly. “We had the chance to be further up the grid, and I didn’t maximize it. That’s on me.”

Despite his disappointment, Leclerc remains determined to fight back in the race. With Zandvoort’s unpredictable weather forecast threatening potential rain, Ferrari could yet find themselves in the mix—provided Leclerc can turn Saturday’s frustration into Sunday redemption.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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