Charles Leclerc has arrived at Zandvoort with renewed confidence in Ferrari and the development direction of the SF-26. Formula 1 is preparing to return to action after the summer break, and the Monegasque believes the Maranello team now has a clear understanding of both where its car has improved and which areas still require work.
The Dutch Grand Prix has historically not been one of Ferrari’s strongest events, but Charles Leclerc believes the characteristics of the 2026 cars could change that picture. The technical nature of Zandvoort also gives him reason for optimism, even though Ferrari’s biggest current limitation remains its power deficit compared with Mercedes and Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc optimistic about Ferrari at Zandvoort
Ferrari will face an immediate challenge at a circuit that has not always suited the team in previous seasons. However, Charles Leclerc believes comparisons with the past may have limited relevance because of how different the current generation of Formula 1 cars has become.
“It’s true, historically this hasn’t been a particularly favourable track for us,” Charles Leclerc explained. “But these cars are so different compared to the past that I think they can shake up the competitive order a little. Zandvoort is also quite a technical circuit and, normally, tracks of this type have been a little more positive for us this year. I’m optimistic, although obviously we’ll have to wait and see.”
That confidence is also based on Ferrari’s understanding of why it struggled at Zandvoort with previous cars. The 2026 Dutch Grand Prix weekend presents a very different technical challenge, and Charles Leclerc believes the problems experienced with earlier generations should not necessarily return.
“We understood very well why we struggled at this track in the past with the previous generations of cars. I tend to think that this year we won’t have the same problems, and I hope I’m right.”
Rain and Sprint format could make Dutch GP difficult
Zandvoort could nevertheless produce one of the more complicated weekends of the season. The Sprint format gives the teams only one free practice session, while the possibility of rain at Zandvoort adds another significant unknown. Experience with the 2026 cars in wet conditions remains limited, leaving Charles Leclerc unsure about exactly what to expect.
“I have no idea what to expect,” Charles Leclerc admitted. “The last time I drove in the wet was during the Barcelona tests. I think it was only Max and me on track. It was one of the very first times I had driven this generation of car, and since then there have been many upgrades. The car is very different today and we have much more knowledge.”
“I still expect a very complicated weekend. It’s a difficult track, it’s a Sprint weekend, it could rain and we’re coming back after three weeks of holiday. It will be challenging.”
Ferrari’s power deficit remains the main SF-26 weakness
Ferrari begins the second half of the season with what Charles Leclerc describes as a very clear development programme. Although he did not reveal specific details about future upgrades, he had no hesitation in identifying the area where the SF-26 currently needs the most improvement.
“There are still many things we want to improve, and it’s very clear what our main limitations were in the first part of the season. Obviously, the engine and, more generally, the power we currently have compared to the Mercedes and Red Bull power units is the area where we are lacking the most. That’s where our work is focused.”
“There is the group working on the engine, just as there are others working on the chassis and aerodynamics. Everyone is carrying out different programmes. But the overall plan is very well defined. We know where we want to go.”
The power-unit question has become one of the central areas of Ferrari’s 2026 development work. As explored in our detailed look at the Ferrari 2026 power-unit performance deficit, extracting greater performance from the SF-26 remains an important part of the team’s attempt to close the gap.
Charles Leclerc encouraged by Ferrari’s development correlation
Another reason for Charles Leclerc’s confidence is the correlation between Ferrari’s factory data and what the team is seeing on the circuit. That has not always been straightforward with previous generations of Formula 1 cars, particularly when floor contact made it difficult to reproduce wind-tunnel expectations on track.
“I don’t think we had any particularly negative surprises in the first half of the season. With previous generations of cars, especially because the cars were hitting the ground so much, it was difficult to achieve on track what we were seeing in the wind tunnel.”
“This year we haven’t really had that problem, and that is very positive for development and for everything we want to bring to the car. I can’t go into the details, but we definitely have a very clear plan.”
Ferrari has already continued that programme with further changes around the Dutch Grand Prix, including SF-26 floor and rear-wing development for Zandvoort.
Charles Leclerc has also praised the aggressive approach Ferrari has adopted with the SF-26 throughout the season.
“It’s been impressive. I think this year we’ve had a very aggressive approach compared with the others, first of all in terms of innovation. It’s a very positive sign because it shows that we’re trying to find new solutions within the regulations.”
“The upgrade programme has also been very aggressive, and production did an incredible job during the first half of the season, working non-stop to allow us to have the new components as soon as possible. In a year like this it makes a big difference because we are still in the early stages of development and every upgrade can have an important impact.”
Ferrari must improve race-weekend execution
Technical development is not Ferrari’s only priority. Charles Leclerc believes the team also needs to improve the way it executes Grand Prix weekends after important points were lost during the first half of the championship. He stressed that Ferrari was not alone in making costly mistakes, with the complexity of the current cars making preparation and optimisation particularly important.
“This year execution is more important than ever. Even a small mistake in planning or managing the weekend can have enormous consequences. We have to be perfect.”
“When we analysed the first half of the season, we saw how many points had been lost by all the teams. These cars are very complex to optimise, and for us this will definitely be one of the main areas of focus in the second part of the year.”
It is a priority that also fits with Ferrari’s wider approach to the Dutch Grand Prix, where limited practice time means the team will have little margin to recover from an incorrect early direction.
Mercedes remains the benchmark, but Charles Leclerc believes in Ferrari’s plan
Mercedes remains the reference and, in Charles Leclerc’s view, the favourite. Even so, his knowledge of Ferrari’s development programme for the coming months leaves him encouraged by what the team may be able to achieve during the second half of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
“We have a very clear view of where we are, what we can do to improve and what our weaknesses are compared with Mercedes. Over the last few months we’ve worked very well.”
“I think the first part of the season was positive, but I also know the programme for the next few months and I know what is coming. And that is what makes me optimistic.”
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