Charles Leclerc delivers bleak Ferrari prediction after Singapore struggle

Charles Leclerc has delivered a bleak prediction that Ferrari will not be able to turn around its F1 form in the remainder of the season.

In Singapore, the SF-25's performance was affected by a request to lift and coast from early in the race, which meant Leclerc could not make forward progress to challenge for a podium. 

He passed ailing team-mate Lewis Hamilton late on, after initially ceding position to Hamilton so he could attack Kimi Antonelli for fifth and try to rescue precious points for the team in the fight for second in the constructors'. 

Following Leclerc's sixth and a penalised eighth for Hamilton, Ferrari now trails Mercedes by 27 points, and leads Red Bull by eight in the fight to be runner-up to McLaren.

However, Leclerc believes the Scuderia's fortunes will not change between now and the end of the season, as it chases a first grand prix win of the year.

"I don't think there will be anything special. I think the picture we've seen this weekend is going to be what the rest of the season looks like for us," Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365.

"I think every time you don't fight for wins, it is difficult, but obviously, coming from a year like last year, where you are fighting for the world constructors' championship, you come with high expectations. 

"You then lower your expectations from the beginning, and you don't even see progression throughout the year; that is not easy.

When asked by RacingNews365 about how he manages the frustration, Leclerc explained how he was using it as motivation to improve.

"I mean, it takes a lot of energy, but that doesn't demotivate me," he said.

"It motivates me, if anything, much more to try and turn the situation around, but it is very tough, especially after a race [like Singapore], where you are not even fighting for a podium and have to manage lots of issues. 

"It is just not a nice feeling."