Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc pulls out of Thursday’s Imola media duties as illness sidelines him ahead of Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix weekend.
The Monegasque driver will not be present in the Formula 1 paddock for press day ahead of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Ferrari confirmed that Leclerc is taking time to rest and recover, with the team hopeful he’ll be back on track for Friday’s free practice sessions.
“Charles is not feeling well and will not be at the circuit today,” a Ferrari spokesperson said. “He’s resting and focusing on recovery, and we hope to see him back tomorrow.”
This weekend marks Ferrari’s first home race of the 2025 season, with the second coming at Monza in September. The team arrives at Imola under intense pressure after a string of underwhelming performances this year.
Despite the rocky start to the season, Ferrari is expected to bring minor upgrades to Imola, ahead of a more significant update package scheduled for the Spanish Grand Prix.
Stay tuned throughout the afternoon on Nextgen-Auto.com for full coverage of Thursday’s media day, including interviews, updates, and the first press conferences of the weekend.
Why Ferrari’s Major Upgrades Are Delayed Until the Spanish GP
Ferrari has decided to push back the introduction of its most significant car upgrades until the Spanish Grand Prix, as the team prioritizes a key technical change: a new rear suspension.
While top teams like Red Bull and Mercedes are set to unveil major updates at Imola, Ferrari’s SF-25 will remain largely unchanged for now. According to the team, this decision comes after identifying the rear end of the car as the main weakness in terms of race performance and tyre degradation.
The 2025 season has been far from smooth for the Scuderia. Tensions surfaced publicly in Miami, where Lewis Hamilton was heard expressing strong frustration over team radio. His post-race media comments didn’t go unnoticed either, raising questions about the mood inside the team.
“It’s only natural that this kind of pressure strains relationships,” said a source within Ferrari. However, Team Principal Fred Vasseur has played down any internal tension.
“I fully understand their frustration,” Vasseur explained. “They are champions and they want to win. I don’t care if Lewis speaks to the media. What matters is that we’re on the same page as a team.”
He added that trust remains intact within the squad. “He can trust me, I trust him, and the same goes for Charles. We talked things through and it’s much calmer now.”
Still, fans hoping for a performance breakthrough at Imola or Monaco may need to be patient. The new rear suspension, designed to unlock more downforce and reduce tyre overheating during races, is scheduled to debut in Barcelona instead.
At Imola, Ferrari will bring only minor tweaks. Meanwhile, their rivals will roll out new parts in the battle to close, or exten, the gap. All teams, including Ferrari, will also be subject to the FIA’s updated flexibility tests in Spain.
The wait continues, but behind the scenes, Ferrari’s plan is clear: fix the foundations before building the final push.
Spain Shake-Up Looms as Vasseur Eyes Wing Rule Shift
Ferrari boss Vasseur predicts major F1 shake-up in Spain as new flexi-wing rules could disrupt the current team hierarchy.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur is confident that the Formula 1 pecking order could shift starting with the Spanish Grand Prix, thanks to new rules targeting flexible front wings.
Like Red Bull’s Christian Horner, Vasseur sees the upcoming race as a potential game-changer. The FIA is introducing stricter guidelines on how much a front wing can flex at speed, and that could shake things up on the grid.
“We’ve reached a point where it’s tough to bring big upgrades,” Vasseur told Sky Sports. “After four years with the same regulations, teams are mostly fighting over fine details.”
“But Spain could be a key moment. We’re getting a new front wing design, and that might shift the balance of power slightly. We’ll have to see what happens.”
Vasseur doesn’t expect the championship standings to flip overnight, but in terms of raw performance, he believes the gap between teams could narrow.
“The guy leading the championship going into Spain will probably still be leading after it,” he said. “But in terms of pure pace, things could look very different.”
Ferrari’s current car, the SF-25, hasn’t lived up to expectations, and that’s made life harder for newcomer Lewis Hamilton.
“The car’s not at the level we wanted,” Vasseur admitted. “Compared to last year, we’re not where we need to be. And that makes it tougher for a new driver to get comfortable.”
“If you’re winning every weekend, it’s easier to settle in. But when performance isn’t there, every small issue feels bigger. That said, Lewis has been very constructive. Even if the results haven’t come yet, our communication is improving, not just between us but across the technical team too. I’m confident we’re going in the right direction.”
Hamilton was openly frustrated with Ferrari’s strategy during the Miami Grand Prix, but Vasseur says that kind of tension is normal, and he welcomes the honest feedback.
“I’m never upset about that,” Vasseur said. “As long as we can have an honest conversation afterward, it’s fine.”
“You’ve got to remember, they’re racing at 330 km/h, inches from the walls, under massive pressure, live on global TV. Of course emotions run high. The most important thing is what’s said in the debrief, not on the radio.”
Ferrari Counting on Home Support at Demanding Imola Circuit
Ferrari heads into its first home race of the season at Imola, determined to bounce back from a tough outing in Miami. Tyre degradation and missed strategy calls cost the team in Florida, but there’s renewed hope for redemption in front of the Tifosi.
“We’re entering the European leg of the season after six races across three continents,” said Team Principal Fred Vasseur. “At Maranello, we’ve worked non-stop since the last Grand Prix, focusing on every detail to make sure Charles and Lewis have everything they need to perform at their best on what is a very demanding track.”
And with the passionate home crowd behind them, Ferrari will be aiming for a strong result at the iconic venue.
For reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi, racing at Imola in Ferrari colors is a deeply personal experience. “Before you even hit the track, you feel the energy. So many fans show up just to support Ferrari, it’s something special.”
Imola’s old-school layout poses a real challenge. “It’s a technical circuit with a street-track vibe,” he explained. “It’s narrow, overtaking is tough, and mistakes are costly. You have to attack the curbs. Acque Minerali is my favorite corner, fast, downhill, with hard braking. Precision is everything.”
Just weeks ago, Giovinazzi claimed his first home win at Imola, driving Ferrari’s WEC car to victory. It’s a memory he compares to one of racing’s greatest achievements.
“Winning at home with Ferrari was incredible, up there with our Le Mans win. The strategy, the car, the whole team, it was flawless. Then, under the podium, surrounded by fans waving red flags and singing the anthem… it was pure magic.”
“The fans were with us from Thursday to Sunday. That win meant a lot, it was our first in almost a year and a half. To do something like that in F1? That would be a dream.”
Giovinazzi, a former F1 driver with Sauber and now a full-time Ferrari WEC competitor, says the emotions of representing the Prancing Horse never fade.
“When you wear the red suit with the Cavallino on your chest, there’s pressure, but it’s the kind you’re proud to carry,” he said. “Endurance and F1 are very different. One is about consistency over hours, the other is about flat-out sprints. But the goal is always the same: win for Ferrari.”
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