Charles Leclerc arrived at the Dutch GP optimistic about Ferrari’s potential for the second half of the Formula 1 season, but clearly pointed out the main weakness of the SF-26. For the Monegasque, the biggest deficiency lies in the power unit’s power compared to Mercedes and Red Bull.
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“There are still many things we want to improve and it is very clear what our main limits were in the first part of the season,” Leclerc said. “Obviously, the engine and, in general, the power we currently have compared to the power units of Mercedes and Red Bull are the area where we show the most deficiencies.”
The driver explained that Ferrari has already focused its efforts on this area, while maintaining parallel development programs on the chassis and aerodynamics. “This is where our work is focused. There is a team working on the engine, as well as others dedicated to the chassis and aerodynamics. All are conducting different programs. But the overall plan is well defined, we know where we want to go.”
Leclerc’s confidence also comes from the evolution of the correlation between the data produced at the factory and what the car delivers on the track. According to him, Ferrari did not face in the first half of 2026 the same difficulties encountered with previous generations, when the car’s behavior close to the asphalt made it difficult to reproduce on the track the performance observed in the wind tunnel. “This year we did not have that problem, and that is a very positive aspect for development and for everything we want to implement in the car.”
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Leclerc also praised the approach adopted by Maranello during the development of the SF-26. For him, Ferrari was more aggressive in the search for innovation and in the pace of introducing new components. “The upgrade program was also very aggressive, and the production team did an incredible job in the first half of the season, working nonstop so that we could have the new components as quickly as possible.”
In Zandvoort, the Monegasque believes Ferrari can defy its recent history of difficulties. Leclerc highlighted that the current cars are very different from those used previously and added that more technical circuits have favored the team this season. “I have the impression that, this year, we will not have the same problems and I hope to be right.”
Despite the optimism, Leclerc warned that technical evolution will not be enough without precise execution on race weekends. “This year, execution is more important than ever. Even a small mistake in planning or weekend management can have huge consequences: we need to be perfect.” For him, Ferrari knows its weaknesses, knows where it needs to improve against Mercedes, and already has a defined program for the coming months, a scenario that supports his confidence for the rest of the championship.
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