Charles Leclerc has opened up about Ferrari attempting to reset over the winter break, the significance of the 2026 regulations, and his belief in the team after a disappointing 2025 F1 campaign.
Having fallen short of the constructors’ crown by only 14 points last year, both Ferrari and Leclerc had entered 2025 hoping to challenge for title glory.
However, the decision to change 99 per cent of their car going into the final year of the current F1 regulations did not pay off, and the Maranello-based squad missed the mark at the start of the 2025 campaign. Besides, halting the development of the SF-25 early on to focus on next year’s project meant that the historic Italian team was hardly ever capable of contending for the top positions.
In the end, the Scuderia dropped from second to fourth in the constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, Leclerc registered his second winless season in the last four years as he finished fifth in the drivers’ championship.
It’s “now or never” for Ferrari
Reflecting on Ferrari’s challenging season following his fourth-place finish at the Abu Dhabi GP, Charles Leclerc admitted in the print media pen that keeping their heads up over the course of the F1 winter break and pushing forward wouldn’t be an easy task.
At the same time, Leclerc highlighted the possibilities the complete overhaul of technical regulations in 2026 would open up and maintained that Ferrari are incentivised to prove their mettle on the track. Expressing caution that it’s a make-or-break period for the team, the 28-year-old also asserted how getting off to a good start would set the tone for the remainder of the upcoming rules cycle.
“It’s tough, but at the same time, honestly, I think the whole team is hugely motivated for next year because it’s such a big change, a huge opportunity to show what Ferrari is capable of.
“It’s now or never, so I really hope that we will start this new era on the right foot because it’s important for the four years after.”
When asked if he still believes in the project and Ferrari’s ability to deliver, Leclerc, who has been patiently waiting for a championship-winning car since 2019, replied, “I do, and next year will be a crucial year.”
In reference to his aforementioned comment and whether the performance of the teams in 2026 would set the stage for several years to come, the Monégasque confidently responded that the frontrunners, who will dominate the rest of the field, will set themselves apart within the first six or seven rounds.
“Yes, I think it will be [crucial]. Maybe not in the first three or four races, but by race six or seven, I think we’ll have a good idea of who are the teams that will be dominating for the four years after.”
Where Ferrari stand right now relative to 2021
In terms of how prepared they were for the ground effect era at the end of 2021 and whether Ferrari are in a better place right now, Charles Leclerc emphasised the high degree of variability the 2026 F1 regulations will introduce and stated that he is uncertain where each team will emerge in the pecking order.
Furthermore, the eight-time race winner remarked that he intends to observe how Ferrari and the 2026 challenger perform in the first few rounds of the upcoming season to determine what their chances of contending for the titles really are. He also added that they are focused on maximising their own performance and improving their operational standards for the time being.
“I have no idea. We don’t know where the others are at. There are so many unknowns.
“I’d rather not speak and wait next year in the first few races and see where we are. In the meantime, just focus on the project and try to work in the best possible way, and we’ll see.”
