Leclerc: F1 drivers cannot see the full picture when 2026 cars go wrong

Leclerc warns of a far more complex performance puzzle

Charles Leclerc believes Formula 1 drivers cannot always grasp the full implications of where they are struggling with the new 2026 cars — or identify the correct solution — because of the number of variables involved.

A breakthrough arrived on Friday night at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone. The changes made there helped Leclerc secure his first victory since 2024, before he followed it with second place in Belgium. His results underline how quickly the competitive picture can shift when a driver and team find a more effective direction with these cars.

Why the diagnosis is not straightforward

Leclerc explained that the interaction between the power unit and the car’s overall set-up makes the problem much less clear-cut than in the past. Data may show where time is being lost, but that does not necessarily reveal whether the answer lies in the driver’s technique or elsewhere in the car’s operation.

“I think it depends on the power unit and the way everything is set up, and that is why it is so difficult with these cars,” Leclerc told media.

He added that changing his driving style could make the car worse if the programming was moving in the opposite direction. That creates a delicate balance: a driver must remain willing to adapt without assuming that every weakness can be fixed behind the wheel.

“You've got to be open-minded,” Leclerc said, pointing to his own swing in form. He felt comfortable and strong at the beginning of the season, struggled heavily in Montreal and Monaco, and then recovered after several changes were made.

Aggression is not a universal answer

Leclerc rejected the idea that a particularly aggressive driving approach automatically works with the new cars. His conclusion was carefully qualified: it may suit another car, but not necessarily Ferrari’s.

That distinction is central to his assessment. With so many variables interacting, the route from a visible problem to a reliable fix is no longer black and white — even for a driver capable of winning as soon as the right breakthrough is found.