Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari's major problem in 2025 is simply a lack of "pure performance" - whilst praising other aspects of the Scuderia's operations.
After finishing just 14 points behind McLaren in 2024, hopes were high that Ferrari could mount a title challenge in '25, but with just two rounds remaining in the season, the team remains without a grand prix win.
It is 53 points behind Mercedes in the fight for second in the championship, and 13 behind Red Bull with 101 remaining across the Qatar and Abu Dhabi weekends.
Leclerc has claimed all seven of the team's podiums, including two second places in Monaco and Mexico, whilst team-mate Lewis Hamilton has not added to the haul, although he did win the Chinese GP Sprint race, and finish third in the shorter Miami event.
Detailing Ferrari's woes, Leclerc believes that whilst the team has been consistently strong in maximising its performance, it is this performance which has been lacking.
"I mean, it is an obvious one, but it is just pure performance," Leclerc explained to media, including RacingNews365.
"I feel like we did a good job in maximising our car throughout, but the performance of the car is just not good enough, so that is what we are lacking.
"Mercedes is the closest team we can compare to us this year, and they had very big ups, but bigger downs as well.
"On our side, we were probably more consistent, but unfortunately, consistently off the pace and not ever at the pace of the guys in front, but that's just overall performance.
"I think the step that McLaren managed to do throughout the winter, and how Red Bull developed through the season, they made a gap which we couldn't close."
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