Alarm bells ringing for F1's 2026 car as Leclerc delivers worrying verdict

Charles Leclerc has given a concerning update on the new Formula 1 cars for the 2026 season - saying “it’s not the most enjoyable race car I’ve driven”.

His assessment comes after he was asked how much time he was spending honing the new challenger for next year at the team’s Maranello HQ.

Leclerc revealed that he is spending half the simulator time on the 2025 car and the other half on next year’s model, which will see F1 undergo its biggest ever regulation change.

Leclerc is currently in fifth place in the drivers’ championship, some 94 points behind leader Oscar Piastri, as Ferrari have struggled for performance this season.

When asked about his experience driving the new models for 2026 on the team’s simulator, he said: “Next year is going to be super important. This year we've got a few things coming until the end of the season that are already planned.

“For next year everything is new, so you've got to think about it and that's what we are obviously doing. It's going to be crucial to be starting on the right foot next year. So we are working on that.”

2026 Formula 1 rules

Photo by: FIA

When quizzed further he added: “Let’s say it's not the most enjoyable race car I've driven so far, but we are still in a moment where the project is relatively new.

“My hope relies on the fact that it will evolve quite a bit in the next few months, but I think it's no secret that I think the regulations for next year are going to be a lot more... probably less enjoyable for drivers to drive.

“So, I’m not a big fan of it for now, but it's the way it is. There’s a challenge and I would like the challenge of maximising a very different car to what it is at the moment. But do I enjoy it? Probably not.”

Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton is a further 25 points adrift and has been outspoken about his frustrating start to his Ferrari career.

However, Leclerc remains confident the two can work together to resolve the team’s current problems, despite their different driving styles.

He said: “I'm not concerned at all because it's always a big talking point outside the team, but within the team, we've got all the tools to adapt a car to my way in terms of driving style or to Lewis's style.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Ferrari

“So I don't think that's the problem, and I just want the fastest car possible next year. That's exactly what Lewis wants, and then wherever we are next year, then I'll set up the car in a way that I like, and Lewis will do just the same.

“I'm really not worried about it. I think we are in a time where now in Formula 1, the engineers and where the technology is at, we just need the fastest car.

“We just put the fastest car on track, and then we've got all the freedom available. It's not like back in 10 or 15 years ago where you were a bit stuck into a corner in terms of balance and you didn't have the tools to make the car go faster. Now we do have those tools, so I'm definitely not worried.”