Why Charles Leclerc is struggling in 2026: F1 analyst explains what Lewis Hamilton is doing differently at Ferrari
Charles Leclerc entered the 2026 Formula 1 season hoping Ferrari’s new SF-26 would finally provide the platform needed to fight consistently for victories and the world championship. Instead, the Monegasque has found himself facing one of the most demanding periods of his Formula 1 career, with teammate Lewis Hamilton emerging as the benchmark inside the Scuderia.
While Ferrari has shown flashes of genuine competitiveness this season, consistency has proved elusive. The Briton has been the driver extracting the maximum from the SF-26 on most weekends, earning Ferrari’s only victory of the campaign in Barcelona and building a significant advantage over Charles Leclerc in the Drivers’ Championship.
Despite opening the year with two podium finishes, the 28-year-old has struggled to maintain that momentum. Costly qualifying mistakes, inconsistent race pace and several technical setbacks have combined to leave the Ferrari driver searching for answers as the championship reaches its midway point.
Jolyon Palmer believes Charles Leclerc is facing the biggest test of his Formula 1 career
Former Formula 1 driver Jolyon Palmer believes the current situation represents the toughest challenge Charles Leclerc has encountered since arriving in Formula 1.
Writing in his analysis for F1.com, Palmer argued that Charles Leclerc remains one of the sport’s outstanding natural talents, recalling the extraordinary performances that first established his reputation during his junior racing career. However, Palmer suggested that the Monegasque has always relied heavily on instinct and an aggressive commitment at the limit, a driving style that naturally carries a greater risk of mistakes.
According to Palmer, those errors have become more visible this season because Charles Leclerc is now sharing the garage with Lewis Hamilton, a driver renowned for constructing championship campaigns through consistency, experience and the ability to maximize every available opportunity. Palmer believes that dynamic has inevitably increased the pressure on Charles Leclerc while making every difficult weekend appear even more significant.
Why the SF-26 may suit Lewis Hamilton better than Charles Leclerc
Palmer also pointed to the characteristics of Ferrari’s 2026 challenger as a major factor behind the changing balance between the two teammates.
In his assessment, the SF-26 possesses an extremely responsive front end but can become unstable at the rear when pushed aggressively. While that type of car might traditionally be expected to suit Charles Leclerc’s attacking style, Palmer believes the opposite has happened.
According to the former Renault driver, Charles Leclerc’s natural instinct to attack every corner and extract the final few tenths may actually be provoking the car’s nervous handling characteristics. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, appears to be benefiting from a smoother and more measured driving approach that allows him to better manage the SF-26’s limitations over an entire race weekend.
The contrast has become increasingly evident during recent Grands Prix, where Lewis Hamilton has consistently looked more comfortable adapting to Ferrari’s current package while Charles Leclerc has continued searching for the ideal setup and driving balance.
Confidence could be the key to turning the season around
Despite the difficult spell, Palmer remains convinced that Charles Leclerc has the ability to return to his best. Rather than calling for dramatic changes, he believes the Ferrari driver simply needs a sequence of clean, mistake-free weekends to rebuild confidence and rediscover the rhythm that has made him one of Formula 1’s fastest qualifiers and race drivers.
That task may not be straightforward in the immediate future. Palmer noted that Ferrari’s remaining power unit deficit could once again leave the team vulnerable at high-speed circuits like Silverstone, where long straights are expected to expose one of the SF-26’s biggest weaknesses.
However, he also identified later races as potential opportunities for Charles Leclerc to reverse the trend. Circuits that reward chassis performance and driver confidence, like the Hungaroring, could play more naturally to Ferrari’s strengths. The Monegasque secured pole position there last season, and with the SF-26 representing a clear step forward in aerodynamic performance compared with its predecessor, Palmer believes the Hungarian Grand Prix could offer the Monegasque an ideal chance to rebuild momentum.
As Ferrari continues refining its package throughout the remainder of the season, the battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc promises to remain one of the most fascinating storylines in Formula 1. Whether Charles Leclerc can adapt to the SF-26 and regain the upper hand may ultimately become one of the defining narratives of Ferrari’s 2026 campaign.
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