Charles Leclerc spoke about the approach he believes Ferrari should be taking to the notable upgrades race in the 2026 Formula 1 season.
With the overhaul of regulations for the 2026 season came the various approaches that teams have taken to the design of the cars. Though Mercedes were quick off the mark, it isn’t a competition on who has the best car initially but rather who can adapt and upgrade their cars most efficiently as the season progresses.
The importance of upgrades
In the previous regulations, we saw how McLaren’s ability to consistently build on their initial design led to them ending up at the front.
Their persistence with upgrades, alongside upgrades that correlated with on-track performance, meant they quickly found themselves at the front of the field, largely unchallenged.
Ferrari have been at the forefront of the experimental introductions which began with their ‘macarena’ wing in the pre-season tests. They’ve also taken steps forward with their packages in Miami and Barcelona. They also introduced an entirely new engine in Austria.
However, the SF-26 has been temperamental, with Leclerc often complaining about the difficult handling and the way the simulator often differs from the on-track feeling.
This was a sentiment he shared with the media after a disappointing weekend in Hungary where the pre-weekend expectations did not match the results.
“We paid the price [in the Hungarian GP], with the start; however, we weren’t particularly stellar at any point in the race,” Leclerc told media, including Motorsport Week.
“The first stint on hards wasn’t too bad, the last stint on the soft was pretty good, but there were too many ups and downs, and that is where we need to work: to try and find that consistency with this car.
“It has been very tricky on some stints for Lewis and some others with me; it is just a little bit strange how uncorrelated everything is.”
Leclerc wants an ‘aggressive’ approach
For the Monegasque, the important thing was remaining active in their upgrades and continuing to work to try to fix the correlation issue that has been so prevalent.
He urged that the Maranello team need to persist with bringing ‘aggressive’ upgrades so they can remain at the front and continue to take opportunities where they come.
“Upgrades are so much more significant than in the past, because it allows us to make such big steps forward, so it is going to be important that we stay on top of it, and keep being aggressive as we have been with the development programme.”
With 12 races left in the 2026 season, Ferrari have a 72-point gap to close in the Constructors’ Championship standings. There is plenty of time to close that gap and potentially reclaim a title the Prancing Horses haven’t seen since 2008.
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