Charles Leclerc has confirmed that Lewis Hamilton will have priority in choosing Ferrari’s qualifying release timing at Monza, as the Scuderia prepares for a highly anticipated 2026 Italian Grand Prix featuring an updated power unit and another crucial test of the SF-26. The arrangement does not mean either Ferrari driver will sacrifice his own qualifying session, but Lewis Hamilton will have first choice over when to leave the garage as the team evaluates how best to exploit the slipstream.
Expectations are high around Ferrari ahead of its home Grand Prix. Speaking to the media on Thursday at Monza, Charles Leclerc addressed the major topics surrounding the Maranello team, from the debut of its updated power unit to potential qualifying strategies with Lewis Hamilton and the realistic prospects of an SF-26 whose characteristics appear, on paper, less suited to the Italian circuit.
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari must execute perfectly with its new Monza power unit
There is considerable anticipation surrounding the new Ferrari power unit specification set to make its debut at Monza, a circuit where engine performance plays a particularly important role. The update forms part of a broader package for the Italian Grand Prix, with Ferrari also introducing ADUO-2 engine, floor and aerodynamic developments at Monza.
“We are definitely talking about a step in the right direction, but not a figure that completely changes the way the car drives,” Charles Leclerc explained. “I can’t wait to try the car on track: it’s not only the new engine element, but also other parts that I hope can help us at a circuit which, on paper, could be a little more difficult for us.”
Pure engine power is not enough with the 2026 Formula 1 cars, however, because energy management has become equally important. Ferrari has already demonstrated that at Silverstone and Spa, two circuits which also appeared less favourable to the SF-26 on paper.
“If we look across the season, our weakness compared with the others is the engine and the power we can put down, which we are lacking,” Charles Leclerc said. “With this concept of car, as soon as you move slightly away from the optimum, you can lose a lot of time. But if we do things properly on the Power Unit side, at a track where it is so important, that is where you can make the difference.”
Charles Leclerc then highlighted just how much more sensitive the new generation of Formula 1 cars has become to power-unit settings. “Last year, if your engine parameters were not completely optimal in qualifying, you lost a few thousandths or a hundredth. Now, if you don’t have the perfect settings for qualifying or the race, you risk losing three tenths. At Silverstone and Spa we were able to put all these parameters in the optimal window and, in fact, we won and had a great weekend. It’s extremely difficult, but the target here is the same.”
Ferrari has also adapted the aerodynamic side of the car for the Temple of Speed, with an evolved SF-26 low-downforce package for Monza designed around the specific demands of the Italian circuit.
Why Monza could expose the SF-26 more than Silverstone and Spa
Compared with the British and Belgian circuits, Monza contains fewer sections that naturally play to Ferrari’s strengths. Charles Leclerc believes that gives the SF-26 fewer opportunities to compensate through the corners for what it may lose on the straights.
“We know that our car is strong through the corners and on corner exit, as we saw at Silverstone and Spa. Monza has fewer corners, so there is less freedom to recover in the more technical sections what we lose on the straights. On paper it will be more difficult, but if we do everything perfectly we can fight,” Charles Leclerc added.
One major difference compared with previous seasons will also involve aerodynamic load. The characteristics of the new regulations and the role of active aerodynamics have changed the traditional Monza compromise, as explored in our analysis of how the 2026 Formula 1 cars transform the Monza challenge.
“Braking at Monza is always a focal point, but this year I expect a different race,” Charles Leclerc explained. “In the past we arrived with a completely different car, losing around 100 points of aerodynamic load. With these cars it is no longer worth removing so much load, so the configuration will be much more similar to the one we use at other tracks. The focus on braking will perhaps be lower, but at Turn 1 and Turn 3 we will need perfection. The feeling is good, I’m not worried.”
Lewis Hamilton has qualifying priority at Monza
One of the biggest topics every Saturday at Monza is the potential use of slipstreams between team-mates. It could be a particularly sensitive subject at Ferrari following the extensive discussion surrounding the management of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the previous race in Zandvoort. Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur subsequently called for a review of the team’s Dutch Grand Prix execution after opportunities were lost during the race.
Ahead of qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc revealed how Ferrari intends to handle the situation and confirmed that this weekend it is Lewis Hamilton’s turn to have priority when deciding when to head onto the circuit.
“In qualifying we have always had the same philosophy over the years: one weekend it is one driver’s turn and the next weekend it is the other driver’s turn to choose when to go out. This weekend Lewis has priority. I don’t think either of us will compromise our own qualifying for the other, but if we can help each other to start the lap at the optimal distance, we will. As far as I’m concerned, I will try to find somebody else’s slipstream to put myself in the best position.”
The explanation is significant given the attention surrounding Ferrari’s management of its two drivers. The wider debate over how the Scuderia should handle situations involving both cars has intensified in recent weeks, including calls for Ferrari to establish clearer team orders between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Slipstream and energy management could complicate the Monza race
The role of the slipstream will not end after qualifying. It could also become a significant factor during the race, particularly when combined with power and energy management. The differences in speed between cars could potentially create an accordion effect in groups of traffic, making situations difficult to anticipate from inside the cockpit.
“In the race it is a very valid point. We have been working on it for days to understand what to expect, but it is difficult to predict,” Charles Leclerc said. “From the outside everything looks linear, but inside the car the speed differences are such that it becomes difficult to react. You can’t avoid the fight if you find yourself in those situations, but we will try to manage it as well as possible.”
Lewis Hamilton has also arrived at Monza focused on Ferrari’s potential with the updated package, having already made his belief in Ferrari clear as the new engine arrives for the Italian Grand Prix. With Monza putting such a premium on straight-line efficiency and energy deployment, execution across every phase of the weekend will be particularly important.
Charles Leclerc refuses to give up on the 2026 F1 title
Charles Leclerc recently explained that he has not yet abandoned his dream of winning the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship. He reiterated that position on Thursday at Monza, while making clear that Ferrari’s success remains his overriding priority.
“Driving for Ferrari, I would want Ferrari to win the World Championship: that is the number one priority. I will believe in it until the mathematics tells me it is impossible. It is not an ever-present thought, I focus race by race on getting the maximum out of the car. At the end of the year we will do the calculations.”
Charles Leclerc also reiterated that Kimi Antonelli would remain his preferred alternative if neither Ferrari driver were able to win the championship.
“If a Ferrari driver isn’t going to win, I would be happy if Kimi did. He is a good person and, for the history of F1 itself, to achieve it in his second year would be something beautiful.”
McLaren is another team entering Monza in strong form after two consecutive victories. Charles Leclerc acknowledged the work carried out by the Woking squad but insisted his attention remains firmly on Ferrari. McLaren’s competitiveness also makes the Italian weekend an important test for the team as it targets another victory at Monza.
“McLaren is doing a great job, last year they did exceptional things and I had no doubt they would become competitive again, but I am focusing on us,” Charles Leclerc said.
Charles Leclerc welcomes prospect of a second Italian race at Imola
The Italian Grand Prix is already generating enormous interest among Ferrari supporters, with Sunday at Monza sold out amid strong Ferrari demand. However, there is also discussion surrounding the possibility of Imola entering the calendar later this season amid continuing uncertainty linked to the situation in the Middle East.
Charles Leclerc admitted he has also heard the speculation and would welcome the opportunity to race in Italy for a second time. “As for Imola, I am also hearing the rumours about what might happen: having a second race in Italy would be fantastic,” the Ferrari driver concluded.
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