As the Formula 1 paddock waits for greater clarity following the Montreal weekend, Charles Leclerc has made it clear that Ferrari’s performance gains in this phase of the 2026 season are not simply about bringing new parts to the circuit. According to the Monegasque driver, the real differentiator lies in how effectively teams optimise an extremely complex package rather than in upgrades alone. At the same time, Charles Leclerc also hinted that Monaco could offer Ferrari a genuine opportunity to shine.
Between the Miami Grand Prix and the build-up to the Canadian Grand Prix, much of the technical discussion in Formula 1 has focused on the upgrades introduced by the teams. Every new component has been scrutinised in an attempt to explain the shifts in competitiveness seen on track. However, Charles Leclerc believes that this interpretation does not tell the full story.
“With these cars, a huge part of the performance comes from optimisation,” Charles Leclerc explained ahead of the Montreal weekend. “If I look at the bigger picture, I don’t believe the progress made by some teams has come exclusively from the upgrades they introduced. For example, I think Red Bull was already very strong during winter testing, but in the early races they probably weren’t able to optimise the package properly, and they lost a huge amount of performance.”
He continued: “In Miami, I think they made a big step forward in that area, in addition to the upgrades they brought. That’s why it’s extremely difficult to understand the true value of updates. One thing is certain: every week spent at the factory working on new components can deliver major gains, much more than in previous years. That makes it crucial to remain competitive in the development race.”
Turning to Ferrari’s own upgrade package introduced in Florida, Charles Leclerc suggested the Scuderia’s progress should not be considered inferior to that of its rivals. In his view, the championship remains in a phase where every team is still learning how to unlock the potential of the radically different 2026 machinery.
“We are still at a point in the season where teams are trying to understand how to maximise an extremely complex system,” Charles Leclerc said. “And I don’t think anyone will ever reach 100% optimisation with these cars, because there is always the driving variable, and that will remain. That’s what makes everything so complicated.”
Another major talking point after the Canadian Grand Prix will be the FIA’s expected verdict regarding the competitive balance of the internal combustion engines, which will determine access to the performance allowances available under the ADUO framework. Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari is likely to qualify for those regulatory concessions, but he remains unconvinced that they will be enough to completely erase the deficit to Mercedes power.
“I think it will be very difficult to recover the entire gap,” Charles Leclerc admitted. “I believe Mercedes currently has a very significant advantage. As for ADUO, obviously I still don’t know whether we will qualify or not, but I would be surprised if we didn’t, because sometimes on the straights I can clearly see how much we are losing compared to Mercedes, and also compared to the Red Bull-Ford power unit.”
He added: “That said, if we do get access to ADUO, it will definitely help us get closer. Whether it will be enough to close the gap entirely, I don’t know. That will also depend on the level of bonus we are granted, assuming we are granted one. But if we do receive it, it will certainly help reduce the deficit.”
Looking slightly further ahead, Charles Leclerc appears to believe Ferrari’s strongest short-term opportunity for a race victory may come at the Monaco Grand Prix, scheduled in two weeks’ time. While measured in his comments, the Ferrari driver did not hide his optimism about how the characteristics of the 2026 cars could suit the streets of Monte Carlo.
“I think Monaco could be one of the circuits where these cars perform best,” Charles Leclerc said. “The cars are lighter, and that is something you can clearly feel, which is positive. On a track like Monaco, that should help quite a lot. I also think the electrical component will matter less compared to other circuits, because with so many corners, recharging won’t be an issue. I’m quite excited about racing in Monaco, because I think it could be a good circuit for these cars.”
Charles Leclerc also revealed that he followed parts of last weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hours, a race that drew extra attention from the Formula 1 paddock because of Max Verstappen’s involvement.
“Yes, I followed some of the race,” Charles Leclerc explained. “Not really live, but I watched some parts of it. Could I race there in the future? Why not? However, I think I would prioritise the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Maybe one day I could also try the Nürburgring, but I would say Le Mans remains the priority.”
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