Charles Leclerc has expressed that he hopes to give Lando Norris a greater challenge in 2026 after the McLaren driver’s maiden Formula 1 title.
Norris appeared to be second-best for most of the season, before a strong surge of form saw him regularly outperform team-mate Oscar Piastri.
A resurgent Red Bull with Max Verstappen threatened to deny him in the closing races, but Norris managed to pip him to the crown by two points.
Much like Norris sustained his ups and downs before landing his first championship, Leclerc is yet to have a car that can take him the whole way.
Perhaps this is why Norris’ victory resonates so strongly, as Leclerc recognised the “ultimate dream” for every driver is to be in the Briton’s shoes.
“That’s why I love our sport so much, it’s the emotions,” he told media including Motorsport Week.
“No matter how much you want to beat your opponents, to see someone’s face as happy as Lando’s is something that is beautiful to see.
“It’s the ultimate dream for every one of us on this grid. He’s been fulfilling it this year and I’m very happy for him. He deserves it.”
Leclerc would have wished to be a greater factor heading into the final year of the ground-effect era.
However, Ferrari recorded its worst Constructors’ Championship finish since a wretched 2020 season.
Lewis Hamilton struggled further in the SF-25, unable to match his team-mate’s results despite a victory in the Chinese Sprint Race, which had provided early hope.
As a new era of technical regulations approaches in 2026, the Monegasque is hopeful that he will be able to place more pressure on those at the front of the field.
“Now it’s up to me to keep chasing it and hopefully make his life harder next year,” he added.
READ MORE – Charles Leclerc makes ‘now or never’ demand to Ferrari ahead of ‘crucial’ 2026 F1 rule changes
Discussion about this post