Charles Leclerc has made an encouraging start to Ferrari’s Italian Grand Prix weekend at Monza, topping FP1 before finishing second behind George Russell’s Mercedes in the afternoon session. The Monegasque believes the Scuderia already understands the areas of the SF-26 that need improvement if it is to challenge Mercedes on equal terms in qualifying and the race.
Leclerc knows what success at Monza feels like. He has already won Ferrari’s home Grand Prix twice, in 2019 and 2024, and Friday’s performance offered the Tifosi further reason for optimism as the team began assessing its latest package on track.
Charles Leclerc starts Monza weekend in pursuit of Mercedes
Leclerc was fastest of all in the morning session before slipping to second place in FP2, when George Russell moved Mercedes to the top of the timesheets. Monza’s long straights naturally place a premium on straight-line efficiency, an area that appears to favour the Mercedes package more than Ferrari’s SF-26.
Ferrari nevertheless showed competitive pace throughout Friday, while the new ADUO-2 engine specification appears, for the moment, to be helping the Maranello team’s cause. The latest development is part of Ferrari’s broader effort to reduce its Power Unit deficit, with Leclerc having already assessed the engine and floor upgrades introduced for the Italian Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver did not make sweeping predictions after the opening day, but his comments suggested that the team has a clear picture of the areas that require attention before Saturday.
Ferrari knows where the SF-26 must improve
“It’s always exciting to come back to Monza, a really special place for us as a team and for all our fans,” Charles Leclerc commented. “There’s still some work to do because our rivals look competitive, but so far the feeling with the car has been good.”
Leclerc added: “We know what our weaknesses are and we’ll focus on those, giving everything from tomorrow onwards to bring home the best possible result on Sunday.”
That focus will be particularly important given the strength Mercedes showed during FP2. Ferrari’s task is to refine the SF-26 without losing the competitive qualities already evident during the first day, while also making the most of the updated engine package brought to its home race.
The latest Power Unit specification is part of Ferrari’s ongoing 2026 campaign with Charles Leclerc, as the Monegasque continues to lead the Scuderia’s challenge at a circuit where he has already delivered two memorable victories.
Tifosi hope for a third Charles Leclerc Monza victory
After winning at Monza in both 2019 and 2024, Leclerc now has another opportunity to add to his record in front of Ferrari’s home crowd. Friday did not establish the definitive competitive order, but leading FP1 and finishing runner-up to Russell in FP2 gave the Scuderia a solid platform heading into the decisive part of the weekend.
Mercedes remains the immediate reference, particularly on a circuit dominated by long straights, but Leclerc’s confidence in Ferrari’s understanding of its weaknesses is an encouraging sign. The next step will be turning that knowledge into performance when qualifying begins and, ultimately, trying to give the Tifosi the third Monza victory they are hoping to see from the Monegasque.
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