Charles Leclerc has offered an honest early assessment of Formula 1’s 2026 machinery, admitting the radically revised cars are not the most enjoyable he has ever driven — yet he remains energized by the challenge they present.
Speaking to media, the Ferrari driver didn’t sugarcoat his first impressions. “It’s not the funniest car. I mean, it’s not the most fun I’ve had driving a car, but it’s the way it is. And I find the fun in a different way.”
Rather than dwelling on the limitations, Leclerc explained that the development process itself has become a source of motivation.
“I think the challenge of really developing this whole new system is, in itself, something that I’ve enjoyed, and something that I find very interesting. In that, I kind of find some fun into just experiencing different things, and things that might have not worked in the past.”
Lighter Cars Suit His Driving Style
One aspect Leclerc does appreciate is the reduction in weight — a change that aligns well with his preference for a lively rear end.
“The weight, you can definitely feel it. The car is a little bit more alive, and the balance, you can play with the car a lot more and you can have a very snappy rear.”
The Monegasque has long favored an “oversteery” setup, and the 2026 regulations appear to bring back some of the agility he has missed in recent seasons.
Energy Management adds a new layer of complexity
Despite the positives, Leclerc acknowledged that the new hybrid system demands far more from drivers in terms of energy deployment and race management.
“There’s a little bit less of attack, which is what I loved with previous F1 cars. As F1 drivers in general, you always have to adapt and to change your driving style. This year is more of a change than we’ve been used to in the past.”
The increased strategic workload is expected to be one of the defining characteristics of the 2026 era.
Concerns over overtaking
Leclerc also echoed the concerns voiced by several drivers regarding the new Overtake Mode linked to the power unit regulations.
“We’ve checked it and I kind of share what my colleagues have said. I find it, at the moment, extremely difficult to get any overtakes, but it might improve with time in how we manage this kind of situations.”
With the aerodynamic and power unit changes interacting in complex ways, Leclerc anticipates unpredictable racing in the early stages of the season.
“Yes, I expect some chaos. As we were just saying, overtaking is going to be a big challenge. I think there are still many question marks.”