“It’s a mental issue first of all” – former Ferrari driver explains Charles Leclerc’s struggles. Why Charles Leclerc is struggling: René Arnoux points to the real cause.

The difficult period currently being experienced by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has become impossible to ignore. According to former Ferrari racer René Arnoux, the Monegasque’s struggles go beyond simple technical challenges and are rooted in a deeper issue. Arnoux also shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s recent success with the Scuderia following Ferrari’s victory in Barcelona.

René Arnoux: “It’s obvious he is not comfortable with the car”

“At this moment, his confidence has hit rock bottom. He has shown a fragility that, in some ways, was unexpected, making too many mistakes. He crashed in Miami, Monaco and Barcelona. It’s obvious that he is not comfortable with the car, but the problem is first and foremost mental. He did not expect this level of competitiveness from Hamilton.”

Those were the words of René Arnoux during an interview with the Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. The former French driver admitted that he had been pleasantly surprised by what the seven-time world champion has delivered since joining Ferrari.

“I thought Hamilton had lost some of his edge with age, but he has proven that he is a true champion. He has put the team on his shoulders and earned the trust of the fans. Ferrari, on the other hand, has taken a huge step forward. Both have surprised me. The upgrades have worked and the championship is still long. All the ingredients are there for a battle with Mercedes right down to the final rounds.”

Ferrari is determined to build on the momentum generated by its Spanish Grand Prix victory and continue putting pressure on Mercedes. The team is expected to introduce the ADUO 1 power unit upgrade in Austria, a development that could reportedly deliver around 10 additional horsepower.

The Barcelona upgrade package was estimated to be worth approximately three tenths of a second, and the SF-26 could prove particularly competitive in the final sector at Spielberg. The Austrian circuit rewards cars that can attack aggressive kerbs while maintaining aerodynamic stability, two areas where Ferrari believes its latest developments could make a meaningful difference.