Charles Leclerc has given a damning verdict on how Formula 1 could look in 2026, after a simulator run which left him proclaiming he was “not a fan” of how the car may feel.
Next year sees the introduction of a brand-new set of rules in which cars will see a more equal divide between electric and internal combustion power, leading to a likelihood of energy conservation.
Additionally, the cars will be smaller than the current ever-growing batch of challengers, with downforce said to be at more of a minimum, working in line with the car’s split power sources.
Ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Leclerc revealed that he has given the new car a whirl in Ferrari’s simulator back at Maranello, and first impressions are not positive.
“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,” he said.
“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, probably, less enjoyable for drivers to drive.
“So yeah, I’m not a big fan of it for now. But it’s the way it is.
“At the end of the day I think 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.”
When asked if the lessening of downforce or the power saving aspects were what he disliked, Leclerc said: “I think both. Probably the second one a bit more than the first.
“It’s just strange to… I just don’t imagine yet how racing will look like, and how cool the overtaking will be next year with this new regulation.
“This is something that I know people, teams, and the FIA are aware of, and there’s probably some work to be done on that. I don’t know how much it will change from now on, though.”
Hamilton indicates his own sim test will come ‘soon’
Leclerc’s team-mate Lewis Hamilton is hinging his hopes of a record-breaking eighth world title on a competitive machine next year.
Hamilton has already been vocal about his wish for Ferrari to start work on what will be the SF-26 soon, given that the Scuderia’s chances of success this year are now slim to nil.
The 40-year-old revealed that he was aware of Leclerc’s initial misgivings about the car, but has not yet tested the simulator out for himself.
“He only just started out, like two days ago or even yesterday, so I haven’t started that yet,” he said. “The main reason is the model is not finished but probably sometime soon I will be able to.”
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