Charles Leclerc is not backing down. On the eve of the Barcelona race weekend, the Monegasque driver revisited the brake controversy that ignited the post-race debate in Monte Carlo. His responses were detailed and carefully measured; while he never explicitly named the manufacturers involved, his core message was unmistakable.
“When I speak about something, it is because I have done my checks, I don’t have much to add,” Charles began, confirming that he will hit the track tomorrow utilizing Carbon Industrie discs and pads. The move officially aligns his hardware with the technical setup Lewis Hamilton has favored since the Japanese Grand Prix.
“I think it is clear that we will change the configuration a bit,” Charles Leclerc explained. “How much it will change, I cannot say yet, because I first need to do the tests and verify everything. I don’t expect a revolution, but in certain specific situations, I believe it will be easier to manage. I will see tomorrow how it goes.”
A unified technical direction inside the Ferrari garage
Following an earlier comment from Hamilton on the matter, Leclerc shed light on why the drivers initially chose split paths back at Suzuka, diverging on their braking configurations. “Differentiating the two cars was a choice made as a team. Then, the last two weekends were more difficult than I initially expected. Now, we are going in Lewis’s direction. What do I need? Consistent and uniform braking. That is all I need.”
The updated braking system will not be the only fresh element on Leclerc’s car during Friday’s two free practice sessions. Ferrari is introducing a significant upgrade package in Barcelona, designed to establish the core aerodynamic baseline the SF-26 will carry through the crucial summer phase of the championship.
“We are introducing several new components this weekend,” Charles commented. “The team has worked very hard to bring these developments to the track, and I am convinced they will represent a step forward. Tomorrow’s practice sessions will be very important to gain confidence with all the new features on the car and to ensure we can maximize the car’s potential ahead of qualifying.”
Moving past Monaco and chasing down Antonelli
Charles Leclerc openly admitted his eagerness to put the painful Monaco weekend firmly behind him. Returning to the cockpit represents the final step in moving past a disappointing home race that was heavily overshadowed by the escalating brake dispute. “Monaco is a track that matters more to me than others, even if the points awarded on Sunday are the same. I care deeply about doing well there, and after what happened, it was a bit harder to turn the page compared to other weekends. That is why I can’t wait to get back in the car tomorrow.”
The Monegasque also took a moment to praise his teammate’s strong form in the opening rounds of the campaign. “Lewis is very, very strong. This car suits him better than the previous one.”
Despite the recent setbacks, Charles Leclerc insisted that he does not view the 2026 world championship battle as over. “I will believe until the end. Development will play a very important role, and if everything goes in the right direction, I believe no goal is impossible. Of course, we cannot afford to lose too much time because Kimi has been perfect so far, and recovering all the points he is accumulating will be very difficult, even if we manage to end up with the fastest car. Kimi is doing an incredible job and Mercedes has also done an incredible job, but I am not giving up.”
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