Charles Leclerc believes that Mercedes can still regain strength in the 2026 Formula 1 season and rejects the idea that the team has stopped working to recover the performance shown at the beginning of the year. For the Ferrari driver, the level of competitiveness shown in the early stages is reason enough to keep the team on the radar.
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Mercedes started the season dominating the grid. The car was the fastest in the first six races, all won by the team. The scenario, however, changed in the next six stages, when Ferrari and McLaren each won two races.
The rivals’ approach has increased expectations for a fierce battle in the final part of the championship. The situation gained a new element after Toto Wolff, head of Mercedes, stated that the team does not have the money to maintain constant car development. Leclerc, however, does not believe this means a lack of reaction:
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“I don’t know what they are preparing,” he told the press. “I don’t know what their plans are. I’m sure they’re not just here relaxing, watching the races, and enjoying the process. I’m sure there’s a lot of hard work happening behind the scenes, whether the budget is being directed to next year’s car or if it will come later this year. I don’t know, and only time will tell,” said the Monegasque.
Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship with 425 points, 87 ahead of Ferrari, which is in second place.
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