Charles Leclerc is not a fan of the new Formula 1 cars for 2026 so far: The Ferrari driver is not enjoying driving them, but perhaps that will change
Charles Leclerc has expressed little enthusiasm for the Formula 1 cars of the next regulation era starting in 2026. The Ferrari driver spoke openly about his first impressions of the new car on the sidelines of the recent race weekend in Spielberg, emphasizing that he is not necessarily a fan of the new generation.
“Let’s put it this way: it’s not the most enjoyable racing car experience I’ve had so far,” said the Monegasque driver. “But we’re still at the beginning of the development process. I hope that the project will change significantly over the next few months. I don’t think it’s a secret that the new rules will make driving less fun for us drivers.”
“So yes, I’m not a big fan of it at the moment, but that’s the way it is,” Leclerc continues. At the end of the day, however, it’s a new challenge for the drivers, “and I’m also looking forward to getting the most out of a very different car. But do I enjoy it? Probably not.”
But why doesn’t the Ferrari driver like the new generation of cars? Is it because of the lower downforce or because there is too much focus on energy recovery? “I think it’s both,” he replies. “Probably the second more than the first.”
“It’s just strange,” he says, emphasizing that he can’t really imagine what the races will look like next year and how ‘cool’ the overtaking maneuvers will be with these new rules.
But: “That’s something I know the people, the teams and also the FIA are aware of. There’s probably still work to be done there. However, I don’t know how much will change now.“
The teams themselves are already well into their work for 2026. Some have already shifted their focus completely, but at Ferrari it’s still split between 2025 and 2026, Leclerc reveals.
”Next year is obviously very important. We still have a few things planned for this year until the end of the season. Everything is new for next year, so we have to prepare well, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,“ he says. ”It’s crucial to be in a good position right from the start next year. That’s why we’re working on it. I’d say it’s about 50:50 at the moment.”
