Ferrari has one obvious weakness but Charles Leclerc sees two more concerns

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari cannot focus exclusively on fixing its power-unit deficit, warning that the team must also make progress with the chassis and aerodynamics as its Formula 1 rivals continue to improve. The engine remains a clear priority for Maranello, but the Monegasque no longer believes it explains the full performance gap.

Ferrari has openly acknowledged that its power unit is behind Mercedes and Red Bull following findings from its ADUO development work. The weakness was particularly visible at the recent Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where the SF-26 struggled for performance on Baku’s long pit straight and once again exposed the importance of straight-line efficiency.

Charles Leclerc says Ferrari problems now extend beyond the engine

Leclerc told the media in Malaysia that he remains convinced Ferrari is operating with an engine deficit compared with its main competitors. However, he stressed that the discussion can no longer stop there, because chassis performance and aerodynamics have also become increasingly important areas of concern.

According to the Ferrari driver, rival teams have recently introduced significant upgrades and are now much stronger through the corners. That development is particularly important because Ferrari had previously been able to take encouragement from the aerodynamic qualities of the SF-26 even while accepting its disadvantage in power-unit performance.

Leclerc therefore believes improvement is required across the entire package rather than in one department alone. Ferrari’s relative performance against Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren can also be followed through the Ferrari vs F1 Rivals statistics.

Ferrari’s aerodynamic advantage is coming under pressure

Some of Ferrari’s strongest performances this season have arrived at higher-downforce circuits, where the strengths of its aerodynamic package could be used more effectively. That advantage is now being threatened as Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren continue to develop their cars while Ferrari appears to have less remaining scope for major 2026 upgrades.

The Azerbaijan weekend offered another indication of the SF-26’s current limitations, with Baku exposing important questions about Ferrari’s position against its rivals.

Mercedes is expected to gain around three tenths per lap from the upgrade package introduced at Sepang, according to the information surrounding the weekend. If that expectation is realised, it would add further pressure on Ferrari in an area where Leclerc already believes competitors are closing the gap.

Charles Leclerc expects smaller Ferrari upgrades at Sepang

Despite the warning, Leclerc also offered a more encouraging assessment of Ferrari’s immediate development programme. He indicated that several new elements are due to arrive soon, although he does not expect them to transform the car’s overall competitiveness.

Instead, the Ferrari driver described the forthcoming changes as smaller steps in the right direction. The team is expected to introduce updates connected with the aerodynamic package and active-aero concept, but these are not the beginning of a new large-scale development push for the SF-26.

Further technical coverage of Ferrari’s evolving package can be found in the Ferrari technical analysis section.

Fred Vasseur says Ferrari has already shifted focus to 2027

Fred Vasseur confirmed in Baku that Ferrari has stopped developing completely new upgrades for the current car as attention moves towards the 2027 project. The parts still appearing during the remaining races therefore originate from work that was already underway weeks or even months earlier.

That makes Ferrari’s current situation particularly significant. The team is planning a substantial rethink of its power unit for 2027, but Leclerc’s warning makes clear that improving the engine cannot become the only objective.

Ferrari must also protect and develop the areas in which the SF-26 has shown promise. If Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren continue to make progress through the corners, any future power-unit gains could be offset by lost ground elsewhere on the car.

Leclerc’s assessment therefore broadens the challenge facing Maranello. The engine deficit remains one of Ferrari’s clearest weaknesses, but the battle for 2027 competitiveness will also depend on whether the team can strengthen its chassis and aerodynamic package while its rivals continue developing across multiple areas.