Charles Leclerc believes that the complexity of the 2026 Formula 1 cars makes it difficult to fully understand the problems faced by the drivers and how to solve them. For the Monegasque, there are so many variables involved that identifying the source of performance loss is no longer something so simple.
Read more F1: McLaren confirms update package for Dutch GP
Leclerc started the season with podiums in Australia and Japan, but soon difficulties began to appear. At the Canadian GP, he even classified the race as one of the worst of his career, mainly due to brake problems. The situation only improved at the British GP, when he achieved his first victory since 2024. In Belgium, he returned to the podium with second place.
According to the driver, the new cars, which require a different driving style from the old ground effect ones, have made it harder to identify where the problem is just by looking at the data: “I think it depends on the power unit and how everything is set up, and that’s why it’s so difficult with these cars,” Leclerc said.
“There are so many variables that it’s not like in the past, when you could look at the data and say: ‘It’s clearly here that I’m losing, it’s clearly here that I need to change my driving.’”
Read more F1: Verstappen questions new overtaking style
The Ferrari driver explained that even a change in his driving style can have a negative effect if it is not aligned with the car’s setup. “If you change your driving, but the setup is going in the opposite direction, you end up being much worse than you were at the start, so there are many different variables.”
Leclerc also mentioned his difficulties in Montreal and Monaco, highlighting the importance of keeping an open mind in the face of necessary changes to recover performance: “You have to have an open mind, and I saw that. I started the season feeling comfortable with the car, and very strong, but in Montreal and Monaco, I had many difficulties, and then things came back after we changed some things.”
“But I don’t think it’s so black and white with these cars. There are many different variables, and understanding the full implication when you’re a bit off the pace is harder than it seems. I don’t agree that being particularly aggressive with these cars works, at least not with our cars, but it might work with another car,” concluded the Monegasque.
Read more F1: Williams announces Sainz renewal in multi-year contract
