Charles Leclerc ends difficult 2025 F1 on a high with promising 2026 tyre feedback. Charles Leclerc finishes Abu Dhabi post-season tests 14th.

Charles Leclerc concluded the Abu Dhabi post-season tests with the 14th fastest time, just three-tenths of a second behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver described the day as very positive, highlighting the opportunity to test the final tire specifications for the upcoming 2026 season.

Ferrari: Charles Leclerc closes his 2025 season

With the Abu Dhabi tests, the engines finally cool down for the 2025 season, allowing drivers to take a well-deserved break and recharge ahead of the 2026 World Championship. The upcoming season will feature a tighter schedule, starting with the Barcelona tests at the end of January. This means that even during Christmas and New Year’s holidays, drivers need to avoid excesses and stay physically prepared for the challenges posed by the new regulations. Charles Leclerc is among those looking to move on from a 2025 that offered few highlights.

Charles Leclerc’s words

The Monaco-born driver, 14th in the post-season tests, commented on his Tuesday at Yas Marina: “It was a very positive test day, the last on-track session of this year but also the first opportunity to evaluate the final tire specification for next season. We had many things to try, and it was very important to run with these new compounds to start understanding them and carry this knowledge into next year. Finally, I want to say a huge thank you to everyone for the support this season. See you next year.” Charles Leclerc pointed out at the end of the testing day in Abu Dhabi.

At the Yas Marina circuit, drivers tested the 2026 tires, which included one set of C2 and three sets each of C3, C4, and C5. They ran these tires on specially modified mule cars in a “Monza version,” designed to simulate the low aerodynamic load and behavior of the cars that will debut in the next championship.

After a 2025 campaign that promised so much yet delivered relatively little in terms of results, Charles Leclerc sounded genuinely refreshed and ready to attack the new era – exactly the tone Ferrari fans will want to hear heading into what could be the Scuderia’s best chance of a title in years.