Charles Leclerc reveals Ferrari’s biggest issue in Canada: “I enter corners hoping not to go straight”. Charles Leclerc admitted a major braking issue is hurting his confidence in the Ferrari SF-26 after Sprint Qualifying.

Charles Leclerc spoke candidly about his feelings after Sprint Qualifying for the 2026 Canadian Grand Prix, revealing the biggest issue currently affecting his confidence behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26.

The Monegasque driver explained the main problem that prevented him from extracting his full potential around the Montreal circuit, where he ultimately finished sixth in Sprint Qualifying.

It was far from an easy session for Charles Leclerc, who encountered several issues, particularly with the braking system in the early stages. In the final SQ3 shootout, he managed to close the gap to Lewis Hamilton but could not move ahead of his Ferrari teammate. Charles Leclerc also exploded over team radio due to heavy traffic in the final sector of the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, which prevented him from preparing his tyres the way he wanted ahead of his final push lap.

But according to the Ferrari driver, that was not the biggest concern.

Charles Leclerc: “Hopefully we can turn things around tomorrow”

Charles Leclerc: “We need to solve the brake problems, otherwise it’s going to be a very long weekend because I go into corners hoping I don’t end up going straight. So yes, that is the main issue at the moment. Apart from that, the car is actually pretty OK. Lewis has been very fast this weekend. On my side, I just need to work on my feeling with the brakes, and hopefully we can turn things around tomorrow.”

Charles Leclerc’s comments make it clear that he currently lacks confidence under braking — one of the most critical aspects at a circuit like Montreal, where aggressive braking zones define lap time. Ferrari’s mechanics will now need to analyse the braking system carefully and try to restore the confidence the Monegasque driver needs to attack properly.

Ferrari’s wider performance concerns remain

Montreal has never been one of Charles Leclerc’s strongest circuits, so finishing within roughly one tenth of Lewis Hamilton is not necessarily a disastrous outcome.

For now, Lewis Hamilton’s decision to avoid simulator preparation appears to be paying off, with the British driver looking more comfortable with the SF-26 throughout the weekend. Until Ferrari introduces its updated power unit — potentially expected around the Belgian Grand Prix — competing consistently against Mercedes and McLaren on power-sensitive circuits looks extremely difficult.

Ferrari’s aerodynamic efficiency also remains less than ideal, with excessive drag continuing to hurt the SF-26 on the straights. Sunday’s Grand Prix could offer an opportunity if wet weather arrives in Montreal, but under normal conditions, it remains difficult to imagine Ferrari challenging much beyond a fight for fourth place.

In conclusion, overcoming these technical limitations and adapting to evolving track conditions will be critical for Ferrari as the weekend progresses. Identifying the root cause of the braking inconsistencies quickly is the Maranello team’s absolute priority if they hope to secure a strong haul of championship points in Montreal.