Charles Leclerc has confessed that the adjustment to the cars for the new era of Formula 1 technical regulations has caused a “steep learning curve”.
F1 begins a new cycle of regulations this year, with the new cars proving to be complex beasts due to the increased electrification and the active aerodynamics that are effective replacements of the now-removed DRS systems.
Drivers will need to conserve energy every lap, which will require further analysis of when and where to overtake and essentially change the complexion of racecraft.
Leclerc was one of the very first drivers to offer an opinion on the 2026 cars via early simulator runs, saying he was “not a fan” of it.
With development having now been furthered by all the teams, drivers who held a more negative approach are appearing to soften on the idea, and after his early runs in the new SF-26 at the Circuit de-Barcelona Catalunya this week, Leclerc offered his take on the new machines.
“It’s super interesting,” he said.
“It was the first day for me in the car in normal conditions, so a lot to learn, a lot to discover and it’s a very different car to what we’ve been driving since I arrived in Formula 1.
“I take that as a challenge and I actually quite like that everything is new and then there might be an opportunity for us drivers to think outside the box.”
Charles Leclerc feeling “more comfortable” ahead of 2026
Leclerc may well have been reminded of his earlier comments about the ’26 cars and after a bit of extra ironing out of details and some further practice in the simulator, it appears that he is finally getting used to it.
“I definitely feel more and more comfortable,” he said.
“It remains an F1 car as well in a way, it’s not like I was completely lost when I got back into the car and I was at ease quite quickly.
“With these new systems and obviously with 50 per cent of the power that comes from the electrical engine, it makes it quite a bit more challenging to manage that, so the learning curve is quite steep. But it’s very interesting.”
READ MORE: TECH: Why the design of the SF-26 signals a continuation in philosophy for Ferrari
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