Charles Leclerc reveals too much secrets and embarrasses press officer
In a moment of unintentional transparency, Charles Leclerc has provided a significant technical update regarding Ferrari's powertrain during media availability following the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. While speaking to the Italian press, the Monegasque driver confirmed that his SF-26 is currently utilizing the team's most recent power unit specification, which incorporates the highly anticipated ADUO update.
An Unintended Disclosure
The revelation appeared to catch the Scuderia Ferrari communications team off guard. As Leclerc discussed his car's performance, he stated: âI've the latest one, the latest spec,â a comment that prompted an immediate, visible reaction from the press officer standing beside him.
The official's attempt to maintain discretion was marked by a subtle shake of the head and a look of palpable concern. Realizing the potential sensitivity of his comments, Leclerc added with characteristic honesty: âI donât know if Iâm saying something I shouldnât say, but I thought it was already known.â
Technical Uncertainty Following Monza
The deployment of this specific engine component had been a subject of speculation within the paddock. Leclerc had originally been slated to use the new unit for the Italian Grand Prix, but following his crash at Monza, questions arose regarding whether the updated hardware could still be utilized without penalty or damage.
While it seemed the unit had survived the impact and made its way to Baku, Ferrari had maintained a strict policy of not confirming the technical status of the driver's power unit. This ambiguity follows previous discussions regarding Leclerc's hopes for the upgraded engine after his heavy collision in Italy.
Despite the awkward media interaction, the confirmation of the ADUO update in the car provides a clear insight into Ferrari's current development path as they continue to refine their performance levels on the world stage.
Simone Scanu
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.