Speaking to F1 TV, Charles Leclerc summed up the sensations experienced over the three days of the Barcelona shakedown. “The debut was difficult because driving in the wet under those conditions was complicated, especially with a completely new car and new systems. Making sure everything was working properly in those conditions was very challenging, but I think it was a very positive and valuable experience for the future, especially for when we will have to drive in the wet during a race weekend.
The other two days were positive. We managed to complete all the tests we wanted to do and everything we had planned,” explained the Ferrari driver.
Full focus on preparation for Bahrain
From Charles Leclerc’s words, a strong sense of caution clearly emerges. “At Ferrari and throughout the paddock there is a lot of excitement because of the many changes that we drivers have to adapt to and because we are trying to find a way to maximise the entire new package, especially when it comes to energy management. We are still really at the beginning. I want to see what we will learn in Bahrain, and I intend to keep focusing on our own work,” said the Monegasque.
The first Bahrain tests are scheduled from 11 to 13 February, and preparation is already well underway. “Next week in Maranello will be very busy, because we will work on analysing the data from Barcelona and we will spend a lot of time in the simulator to prepare for Bahrain. We will run a couple of tests, and the most important aspect will be correlation. Now that we have driven the real car, we will go back into the simulator to compare the data and try to make it as close as possible to what we collected in Barcelona.
Only in this way will we be able to focus on Bahrain, knowing that we have a solid reference in the simulator,” the Monegasque driver concluded.
Charles Leclerc’s emphasis on simulator correlation highlights Ferrari’s commitment to technical precision as they transition into the high-stakes 2026 era. By prioritizing the alignment of virtual data with real-world performance, the Scuderia is ensuring that every developmental step taken at Maranello will translate into tangible gains on the circuit. This methodical approach to energy management and car systems suggests that while the SF-26 showed promising reliability in the Spanish rain, the team’s true focus is on building a long-term performance advantage through analytical excellence. As Charles Leclerc returns to the simulator to bridge the gap between Barcelona and Bahrain, his “focused on ourselves” mentality serves as a clear signal that Ferrari is building its 2026 campaign on a foundation of data-driven confidence rather than pre-season hype.
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