Charles Leclerc endured his first genuinely difficult race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season. It had been a long time since the Monegasque looked so subdued, especially considering that in many of the previous races he had comfortably outperformed team-mate Lewis Hamilton, often finishing with a significant gap in hand.
Technically, it was the second time Charles Leclerc finished behind Lewis Hamilton this season, but it was the first race in which he truly appeared to struggle throughout the weekend, showing clear and visible difficulties from the very beginning.
While the seven-time world champion delivered an impressive and consistent weekend, showing strong pace from the opening practice session all the way through race day, Charles Leclerc experienced the complete opposite, fighting issues almost immediately.
Fréd Vasseur admitted as much after the race, explaining that Charles Leclerc arrived in Canada already feeling relatively discouraged, as Montreal has never been a circuit particularly suited to his driving style. More than anything, it is simply a track that has never inspired much confidence from the Ferrari driver—though that alone does not explain the disappointing performance.
Martin Brundle’s criticism and Ferrari’s real limitations
Martin Brundle, the former Formula 1 driver and British commentator, also weighed in on the situation, attempting what could be described as constructive criticism. Speaking in comments reported by F1 Oversteer, he argued that there should be no such thing as tracks a driver likes or dislikes, and that a true champion must always find a way to deliver at every circuit.
There is certainly truth in the idea that elite drivers must adapt, but Brundle’s comments may not fully reflect Charles Leclerc’s actual situation in Montreal.
The Ferrari driver was clearly aware of the difficulties from the outset, and above all, he became a victim of the limitations of the SF-26 itself.
Even setting aside the retirements of the McLarens and George Russell during the race, Charles Leclerc briefly managed to recover after switching to the medium compound, overtaking Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull and putting himself back into contention for a short period. The real problem during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend was not the 28-year-old’s approach, but Ferrari’s machinery—particularly the braking system reliability issues that affected the SF-26 on Saturday.
Charles Leclerc himself admitted that entering corners felt like doing so “more with hope than confidence,” having to pay attention to every tiny detail just to avoid ending up in the barriers. He also repeatedly asked the team to put him in a position to complete clean out-laps in order to maximise tyre preparation for his push laps. His awareness of the situation was obvious. At the end of Q2, he told Ferrari over team radio: “Either I hit the wall or I’m P8.”
And P8 is exactly where he ended up qualifying.
Monaco offers Charles Leclerc the perfect chance to respond
Brundle’s broader point about drivers not hiding behind circuit preferences does carry some weight, as it applies to every Formula 1 driver.
What can also be said, however, is that Charles Leclerc already possesses the mindset of a champion. Knowing your car so intimately, understanding its weaknesses and recognising exactly where those limitations can take you, is itself a sign of high-level race awareness.
Now, naturally, attention turns toward a response after Canada.
This is not really about deciding whether Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton should lead Ferrari at this stage. Right now, the team’s objective must be protecting its position as Formula 1’s second-fastest force and maximising points collectively. That means Ferrari will need both drivers to deliver in Monte Carlo.
On paper, Monaco should suit Ferrari very well. It is a circuit Charles Leclerc knows better than almost anyone—not only because it is his home race, but because he has already mastered it before with a commanding and flawless victory. Still, Monaco always comes with uncertainty: qualifying traffic, accidents, Safety Cars, and the unpredictable nature of a tight street circuit.
Charles Leclerc loves street tracks, but in Monte Carlo, Saturday will likely matter far more than Sunday. Track position is everything there—and the driver who starts at the front usually ends up standing on the top step of the podium.
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