No magic bullets for underperforming Ferrari after Japan disappointment

Ferrari's anticipated title challenge again failed to materialise at the Japanese Grand Prix with Charles Leclerc finishing in fourth place, Lewis Hamilton in seventh, and both drivers complaining about the performance of the car.

It was perhaps an improvement on China two weeks ago, when both cars were disqualified for technical infringements, but the famous Italian marque was still well off the pace on Sunday compared to the McLarens and Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

"There was nothing more in the car," said Leclerc. "We did a good job with balance and strategy but it is even more disappointing when you do everything perfect and finish P4. The pace is just not there."

Leclerc is sixth in the Formula One drivers' standings after three races and Hamilton eighth, while Ferrari already trail leaders McLaren by 76 points in the manufacturers' standings.

Seven-time world champion Hamilton did manage to perform one of the few passes in the race but it moved him up only one spot from his start in eighth place on the grid.

"I did the best I could today. I was genuinely lacking performance compared to the cars ahead of me," the Briton said.

"We found something on the car that was underperforming for the last three races so I am hoping when that is fixed that I will start getting better results. Onwards and upwards."

Charles Leclerc has overtaken Sebastian Vettel as the driver who has scored the most points with Ferrari 🔥#JapaneseGP pic.twitter.com/QIlkunyEcO
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) April 6, 2025

Team principal Fred Vasseur said the car was already more competitive than it had been at the start of the season but estimated it was still about three-tenths of a second behind the leading teams and warned against expectations of a major leap forward.

"If last year, we did a good step forward from the beginning of the season to mid-season, it's not that we found a magic bullet. You will never find something on the car at three or four-tenths," he said.

"One year ago, we were almost in the same situation, perhaps a bit worse in terms of pace and reaction of the team was very, very strong.

"We worked as a team. We made small step by small step and we have to keep exactly the same approach this season. But for sure, it's not ideal, and I would prefer to have won the first two or three races."