Ferrari have emerged as the only team capable of challenging for the Formula 1 world championship so far this season, but are Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton already thinking about the title? Both drivers shared their honest thoughts ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Scuderia arrives at the Red Bull Ring with more than just aerodynamic improvements. Ferrari is also introducing a minor power unit upgrade through its ADUO system, raising hopes that the SF-26 can take another step forward. But does the team genuinely believe it can fight for the championship with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton?
After Lewis Hamilton’s victory in Barcelona, Ferrari are determined to stay fully focused and avoid becoming complacent. Charles Leclerc’s priority is to rediscover his best form after a series of setbacks and reliability issues, while Lewis Hamilton is aiming to build on the impressive momentum he has carried since the Canadian Grand Prix.
Thanks to the major upgrade package introduced in Spain, the SF-26 is believed to have gained around three tenths of a second in performance. Ferrari are now expected to benefit from an additional 7-8 horsepower through the latest ADUO engine update, a development that could be worth approximately one tenth of a second around Spielberg. If those gains are confirmed, the Prancing Horse could find itself fighting consistently at the very front on a wider variety of circuits. But are they already thinking about the world championship? Here is what Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton had to say.
Charles Leclerc: “I just want to find my rhythm”, while Lewis Hamilton takes it one step at a time
“To be honest, I’m not thinking about the championship right now. The last few weeks have been busy and we’ve been trying to put everything together. We’ve fixed quite a few things over the last few race weekends, and now I just want to find my rhythm again. If we manage to do that, I hope plenty of victories will follow, and only then, at the end of the season, will we think about the championship. It’s not something that’s on my mind right now.”
Those were the words of Charles Leclerc when asked whether Ferrari’s improved competitiveness had changed his championship ambitions. Before thinking about a title challenge, the Monegasque knows he first needs to recover the valuable points lost in Monaco and Barcelona, where various problems compromised his results.
When asked whether the SF-26 has become more suited to Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, the Ferrari driver quickly dismissed any concerns: “Today we have a lot of freedom with the setup to make sure the car suits each driver’s style, so I don’t feel limited in any way. I don’t feel any less confident than I did last year.”
As for the seven-time world champion, Barcelona‘s victory has only increased his motivation, but his focus remains firmly on the present: “I’m not thinking about the championship. I’m focused on every single race, preparing in the best possible way and executing everything properly. We had good pit stops, a good strategy, and everyone was on the same page in Barcelona. Having that consistency every weekend is the most important thing, not thinking about what might happen in fifteen races’ time. I’m not thinking about Silverstone right now, I’m thinking about tomorrow. I take things one day at a time.”
Ferrari have undergone significant changes at Maranello, particularly in terms of the team’s culture, and Lewis Hamilton praised the efforts being made across the entire organisation throughout the season.
“I’m incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory. Every single person is contributing something, and everyone is pushing even harder than before. There has been an incredible positive evolution that we’ve been asking for over a long period, and seeing it culminate in the victory in Barcelona was fantastic. We know we have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.”
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