Ahead of the 2026 F1 season, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has shared his thoughts on the 2026 regulations and how he feels they are going to influence the team’s and his own approach to the new season.
Earlier today, Ferrari unveiled the livery of the SF-26, followed by a first outing for drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the Fiorano track. The team is also working hard to get the car ready for pre-season testing and the season opener in Australia, Leclerc reveals in a video interview published on the Ferrari website. The Monegasque driver expressed his excitement about the challenges and opportunities the 2026 F1 regulations offer. The Ferrari driver notes that it will be prudent to understand how the new car operates before it hits the track.
Leclerc is excited for the challenge and opportunity F1 2026 regulations provide
“It’s certainly going to change a little bit the preparation for this new season, as there are so many new things. There will most likely be many more meetings around new systems and how the car works. Because as a driver it’s very important to understand how each single systems work in order to be ready once we get to the track.
“And there’s also been a lot of work in the background in order to make sure that we get to this first test and then first race as ready as possible. But it’s, I think, an opportunity and a very exciting challenge as a driver and as a team to have so many new things. And we are motivated to take that challenge.”
Leclerc: 2026 F1 regulation change biggest in his time with Ferrari
Having been with Ferrari since the beginning of the 2019 F1 season, Leclerc has experienced several regulation changes in his time at the Maranello-based team. A fact that the 28-year-old thinks helped with adapting to the changes. However, Leclerc reckons the F1 2026 regulations might be the biggest he has faced during his run with the Scuderia.
A lot of work has been done behind the scenes, but Leclerc is aware that only the track will tell whether the hard work will pay off.
“The fact that I’ve been in Ferrari for many years now and the fact that we’ve also lived together through quite a few new technical cycles helps us to be prepared for these kinds of changes. Even though this is a change that is much bigger than everything we’ve experienced so far.
“It’s a big challenge, but I felt that the experience that we’ve built together in order to be ready straight from the get-go with a completely new car is something that gives me trust and confidence going into the future.
“But it’s a very, very difficult challenge. And we are very much aware that there’s a lot of work in the background, and only the track will talk once we put the car on the ground. The preparation, the hard work, and the motivation are there. And the fact that we’ve been working together for so many years definitely helps with that change.”
New power unit “most significant” change in the 2026 F1 season
The 2026 F1 regulations bring significant changes to the cars, posing a challenge for teams and drivers. According to Leclerc, the 2026 power units are likely to present the “most significant” change and will require the “most adaptation.”
“I mean, with these new F1 cars, there are many, many, many new things; basically, everything is completely new.
“I’ll probably say that the power unit change is something that is probably the most significant and that will require the most adaptation to take the most out of it. So, just the way the power unit feels, the way to manage it in battles, and racing.
Despite the new power units requiring a high level of adaptation, particularly in management, Leclerc says it’s the change he is looking forward to most, counting on his instincts to help him adapt.
“I think this is probably the most interesting and thing I’m looking most forward to.
“It’s a fine line between adapting to new technology and just using your natural instincts. And what I’ve always done since I was three and a half, which is driving a car. But in the end, the two go quite well together.”
Leclerc: Instinct first, data second
On top of revealing the livery of the SF-26, Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton had the opportunity to drive their first laps in the new car on Ferrari’s home track in Fiorano. The drivers will get another taste of their 2026 F1 challenger during the first pre-season test in Barcelona next week.
During his first laps in the SF-26, Leclerc says he will focus on his instincts rather than data. The Ferrari driver seeks to gain a good impression of what the car requires before looking into data for the finer details.
“I’ll say that instinctively and naturally, as soon as I drive the car, you kind of understand where you need to go in terms of driving, and then that is backed by a lot of work behind the scene in order to understand maybe the some the last tricks that there may be with some specific cars that only data will give you the real answer to that.
“But instinct is still extremely important, and probably the first few laps I will do with this new car, it will only be through instinct and what I feel is right at that moment. Then you back it off with the data and work to try and find things that maybe are a lot more difficult to feel because they are much tinier details, but this will come in a second time.
“First instinct and, then second, as soon as I have a good picture of what the car needs, I’ll back myself with data in order to understand what I need to do.”
A message for the Tifosi from Leclerc
Ahead of the 2026 F1 season, Leclerc shared a message of gratitude for the Tifosi, thanking them for their continued support, saying that Ferrari’s fan base pushes and motivates the team. The Monegasque added that the team is working hard behind the scenes and is looking forward to putting the car on track to see how it performs.
“I can only thank them for the huge amount of support we have every single year, and that definitely pushes us, and that motivates us. That is what makes Ferrari so special, it’s thanks to the Tifosi and the support that we have all over the world.
“We are giving it absolutely everything backstage, and we are really looking forward to putting the car on the ground and to see how it goes.”
