Charles Leclerc expressed satisfaction with Ferrari’s work so far in preparing the SF-26. Regarding on-track performance, he sees Mercedes and Red Bull ahead of the Scuderia, while McLaren remains something of an unknown. He also warned about overtaking: “There will be a higher price to pay when making them.”
The role of favorite is like a hot potato that every driver quickly throws into their rival’s court. Charles Leclerc is no exception. After a necessary disclaimer about the difficulty of having reliable benchmarks today, he sketched out what he believes is an initial hierarchy of team performance. “It was already difficult to make predictions with the previous generation of cars, let alone today. I think it’s easy to hide a car’s true potential in many different ways.”
“As far as we are concerned, I’m happy with how we are progressing with our program. So far, we haven’t had any reliability issues, and that’s a fundamental factor for starting the season well. At the moment, everything is in line with our expectations. I believe we have a solid foundation to work from and improve.”
“Regarding our rivals, there’s Red Bull, which has shown really impressive things in terms of power units, especially here in Bahrain. Mercedes has also displayed, at times, very interesting signs, and in this specific case, I’d say they are hiding a lot. Looking at the bigger picture, I see these two teams slightly ahead, then us, and probably McLaren, which so far has been difficult to interpret.”
In the Sakhir paddock, the topic of the day was Max Verstappen’s comments, who last night criticized the technical regulations that led to this generation of cars. Some sided with Max, while others backed Lando Norris, who spoke very favorably and openly about the new rules.
Charles Leclerc’s view is less extreme. “I can’t say it’s the most fun car I’ve ever driven, but I’m finding enjoyment in a different way. I find it very interesting to develop something completely new; it’s nice to think a bit outside the box and try to find new solutions to maximize the car’s performance. But the true pleasure of driving it is something else.”
When asked about his feeling behind the wheel, the Monegasque expanded on the topic. “A Formula 1 driver must always be ready to adapt their driving style. This year, there’s a lot that’s new, but I think that’s mainly due to how much work we have to do while in the car. The percentage of pure driving is slightly lower; now we think a lot about how to make the most of all the systems around us. You have to reason actively much more than in the past, but in terms of driving, it’s something we are used to. Even when switching from qualifying to race, as we saw last year, your driving style changes significantly.”
Charles Leclerc also highlighted positive aspects, such as the reduced weight of the car. “I think this is the innovation I appreciate most. The car feels a bit more lively, with better balance. You can play more with it, having a very responsive rear. Last year, managing the weight was more difficult, and personally, I’ve always enjoyed cars that oversteer.”
Charles Leclerc then confirmed a warning already raised by other drivers: the difficulties of overtaking. “I agree with what my colleagues have said. At the moment, I find overtaking extremely difficult, but over time we might improve how we handle these situations. Every overtake comes with a price to pay, and I think today the price is much higher than in the past. It won’t be easy to pass a rival and immediately create a gap as we could until last year; it will be more complicated.”
Charles Leclerc’s balanced assessment provides a realistic glimpse into the 2026 season, where technical management and intelligence may prove just as vital as raw speed. As Ferrari continues to refine the SF-26, the battle against a strong Red Bull and a secretive Mercedes suggests that while the “fun” of driving has evolved, the strategic depth of the sport has never been deeper.
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