Ferrari has started 2025 on a more difficult note than expected: is it already time to look ahead to 2026? Leclerc clarifies things in Saudi Arabia
After the end of 2024, the Formula 1 world expected more from Ferrari, which was at least supposed to be fighting with McLaren. Instead, the Italian team hasn’t even managed a podium so far in 2025. So, is it already time to focus on 2026? Leclerc addresses the possibility in Saudi Arabia.
The first four races of 2025 have been a real cold shower for the team from Emilia, starting with disappointing results in Australia. Then came the shock of the double disqualification in China, followed by Japan and Bahrain.
Especially in the latter, the Monegasque driver nearly made it to the podium for the first time this season. But between some bad luck with the Safety Car and the wrong choice of the white tire, Leclerc had to settle for fourth place.
Some signs of improvement are starting to appear, particularly on the side of car number 16, with the 1997-born driver admitting he has identified the direction he wants to go in.
At the same time, however, the rivals are pulling further ahead, and perhaps the time to recover may already be running out. That’s precisely why, during the pre-GP press conferences in Saudi Arabia, Leclerc was asked whether Ferrari is already thinking about 2026.
“Yes, I mean, to be able to talk about a missed opportunity, there has to be an opportunity in the first place. And so far we haven’t been at the level we wanted since the beginning of the season. But the season is still long, we must not give up, and we will certainly push until the end,” Leclerc told the media.
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“But I think the two things can go hand in hand. You often hear people say we need to immediately focus on next year’s car, but I believe that with the new structures in Formula 1, these things can move forward in parallel.”
“So I don’t think you can be extreme in one direction or the other,” the driver continued. “It doesn’t mean we are focusing only on this season and forgetting about the next one, or vice versa. I believe we are trying to do our best on both fronts and then we’ll see where that takes us.”
“Obviously, as soon as it becomes clear that there are no more chances for this year’s championship, then it will probably make sense to fully focus on 2026,” he concluded on the matter.
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