Leclerc on 2026 Ferrari: Not the most pleasant racing car!”

Leclerc on 2026 Ferrari: Not the most pleasant racing car!”

Ahead of the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc spoke in a media round about the challenges and changes that will affect Formula 1 in 2026. The Monegasse is working in the simulator on the current Ferrari SF25 as well as on the new car for the coming season. Leclerc explained that the new regulations, which include smaller and lighter cars as well as the use of 100 percent sustainable fuels, will significantly influence the way he drives.

“The new car is not the most pleasant racing car I have driven so far,” said Leclerc. Despite his skepticism, he hopes that further developments and adjustments to the car will take place in the coming months. He is aware that the new regulations make driving less pleasant for drivers, but also sees the challenge that comes with it as something positive.

The simulator test and initial concerns

Leclerc reported on his experiences in the simulator, where he was the only Ferrari driver so far to be able to test the 2026 model. He described the first simulator ride as “not pleasant”. The new engine rules place a greater focus on battery power, which risks the cars losing power on straights. Unusual behavior, such as high speeds in curves to generate energy, could also occur, which makes driving even more difficult.

Teammate Lewis Hamilton has not yet completed a test in the simulator, but will follow soon. Max Verstappen has also expressed concerns but is open to developments. Leclerc was also critical of the current Ferrari's performance in qualifying, where the team failed to achieve pole position in 2025. “The race pace is okay, but we have to improve significantly in qualifying,” said the driver.

Rule changes and their effects

The FIA ​​has also decided on changes to the rules for energy recovery. The limit for recoverable energy during qualification can be reduced from 8.5 megajoules (MJ) to up to 5 MJ on certain routes. This approach is intended to prevent extreme recuperation strategies and dangerous maneuvers from increasing in racing situations. These decisions were made at the most recent World Council meeting and affect both regular and sprint qualifying, but not the race distance.

From 2026, it is expected that the combustion engine and the hybrid components will each provide around 50 percent of the total output of around 1,000 hp. “We hope that the new rules will prove beneficial to the spectacle of Formula 1,” Leclerc added, but also suggested he was skeptical whether the rule changes would make driving more enjoyable overall for the drivers.

Leclerc will be replaced by youngster Dino Beganovic in the first free training session. Although he is unhappy about it, he expressed optimism about his chances in the following training sessions. “I’m confident for FP2 and FP3,” the Ferrari driver concluded his thoughts.