Charles Leclerc has started to look ahead to 2026 as the 2025 season for his Ferrari nears its end, offering his first impressions of the team’s new car. Speaking during the media day at the Qatar Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver gave an honest assessment of Ferrari’s current challenges and the major uncertainty posed by the upcoming regulations.
Leclerc cautious about Ferrari’s 2026 prospects
When asked whether Ferrari could open a new chapter in 2026, Charles Leclerc expressed caution. “I really hope so. To be completely honest, I don’t know, because there have been so many changes from this year to the next,” he admitted.
The driver explained that the competitiveness of the new car will depend on countless technical details. “There are so many small things that can make a big difference in terms of performance. We will have to get every single one right.”
Ferrari sacrifices 2025 for a stronger 2026
Charles Leclerc confirmed that the team made a deliberate choice to focus on 2026. “I feel that this year we sacrificed the final part of the season to concentrate entirely on next year,” he said. However, he urged caution. “Everyone will probably feel positive about their own work, and only time will tell who was right.”
He described the first simulator session with the new car as “strange,” but noted it sparked extensive collective work. “That session raised many questions in everyone’s minds. The process of discussing how to tackle the issues of the next car was very interesting.”
The driver emphasized his active involvement with the engineers. “For us drivers, it’s important to understand what tools we will need to manage the new situations. How we fight against other cars will also be crucial.”
Simulator insights and technical changes
Charles Leclerc explained that the simulator still cannot fully convey the real feel of the 2026 car. “For the true driving pleasure, I will have to wait to actually test it. It’s hard to grasp these things in the simulator.” Regarding technical changes, he added, “There will be much more to think about while driving, especially during races, to better manage the energy we will have from next year.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.
Ferrari evolving, but still an unknown
Charles Leclerc did not make any promises. He preferred to focus on the working method, the process, and the new ideas emerging in the factory. The 2026 regulations will bring a major technical revolution. While curiosity grows in the paddock, there is also awareness that no one can truly predict where Ferrari will stand at the first race.
For Charles Leclerc, one certainty remains: the team has put all its energy into the new cycle. Now, it remains to be seen whether this effort will be enough to bring Ferrari back to competitiveness.
No bold predictions, no guarantees – just quiet confidence in the process. Ferrari has thrown everything at the biggest regulation shake-up in a generation. Whether it pays off remains one of the paddock’s biggest questions heading into the winter.
For Charles Leclerc and the Tifosi, 2026 F1 pre-season testing can’t come soon enough.
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