Ferrari SF-26 | How the next-generation F1 car might fit Charles Leclerc’s driving style. Ferrari 2026 | Will Charles Leclerc have an advantage with the new F1 car?.

Will Ferrari 2026 suit Leclerc’s driving style? Possible traits of the new F1 generation

Could Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car be better suited to Charles Leclerc’s driving style? Several characteristics of the new generation of Formula 1 cars point in this direction, suggesting the Scuderia di Maranello may develop a car that inherently favors the Monegasque driver, potentially more than Lewis Hamilton.

In 2025, we learned how Charles Leclerc’s and Lewis Hamilton’s driving styles are similar in some areas but differ in crucial ways. The Monegasque has always preferred a very precise front end, even at the expense of a looser rear, whereas the Briton’s approach is different. Sir Lewis wants a responsive front, but to rotate the car and get on the power, he needs a planted rear. The SF-25 did not offer this “advantage,” which made it harder for Lewis Hamilton to stay ahead of his teammate. The seven-time world champion has also historically disliked ground-effect cars, so the question remains: will he feel the same about the 2026 cars?

Oversteering tendencies and Leclerc’s potential advantage

As has been repeatedly noted, #16 (Leclerc) can drive “over” a car’s weaknesses. A looser rear end often seems to work in his favor, allowing him to modulate rotation as he wishes. Of course, a car balanced across both axles is always beneficial, but Leclerc adapts more easily than Hamilton. According to the Italian media, the 2026 F1 generation is expected to have inherent oversteering tendencies. Reduced downforce compared to the ground-effect era, combined with a more aggressive engine torque delivery, reinforces this scenario. If this proves true, adaptation could be simpler for Charles Leclerc, at least according to simulator data.

However, this also makes rear-end management much more challenging. It will be crucial to see how the new Pirelli tyres behave in terms of grip. It is easy to imagine Hamilton facing difficulties again, particularly as age and changes in car characteristics come into play. At Mercedes, he always had cars with high downforce and exceptional technical quality. Once those advantages disappeared, we saw his performance drop significantly. It will be fascinating to see which of the two drivers starts the season stronger, with the hope that the Ferrari 678 will allow both to fight for top positions.