Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc has delivered a sobering early assessment of the team’s 2026 Formula 1 car after testing its virtual prototype in the team’s simulator at Maranello, raising concerns about the drivability and excitement of the sport’s next-generation machines.
Starting in 2026, Formula 1 will usher in a new era with radically different technical regulations. These include a near 50-50 power split between electric and internal combustion engines, reduced aerodynamic downforce, and slightly smaller chassis designs.
Formula 1 and the FIA are hoping the new regulations will improve racing dynamics and sustainability, but Leclerc was clearly not impressed with what he experienced, although he conceded that it was early days still in the project.
“Let’s say it’s not the most enjoyable race car I’ve driven so far, but we are still in a moment where the project is relatively new,” Leclerc told the media at the Red Bull Ring on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.
“My hope relies on the fact that it will evolve quite a bit in the next few months, but I think it’s no secret that I think the regulations for next year are going to be a lot, probably, less enjoyable for drivers to drive."
“So yeah, I’m not a big fan of it for now. But it’s the way it is."
Concerns Over Power Management and Downforce
While F1 has often seen periods of transition with mixed reactions from drivers, Leclerc’s response points to particular unease with how energy conservation and reduced grip could affect the spectacle on track.
“At the end of the day I think there’s a challenge, and I would like the challenge of maximising a very different car to what it is at the moment. But do I enjoy it? Probably not,” Leclerc said.
When asked specifically what aspects of the car he disliked most, Leclerc pointed to both the drop in downforce and the demands of power saving.
“I think both. Probably the second one a bit more than the first."
“It’s just strange to… I just don’t imagine yet how racing will look like, and how cool the overtaking will be next year with this new regulation.
“This is something that I know people, teams, and the FIA are aware of, and there’s probably some work to be done on that. I don’t know how much it will change from now on, though.”
Leclerc’s comments hint at a wider apprehension within the paddock that next year’s cars could make for less exciting wheel-to-wheel battles, with overtaking potentially hindered by energy recovery strategies and diminished aerodynamic assistance.
Hamilton Yet to Sample 2026 Car, But Watching Closely
Queried on the Scuderia’s 2026 contender, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged he’s aware of Leclerc’s early feedback – though he hasn’t personally sampled the new design yet.
Read also: Hamilton welcomes Ferrari floor upgrade but focus is on 2026“He only just started out, like two days ago or even yesterday, so I haven’t started that yet,” Hamilton explained.
“The main reason is the model is not finished but probably sometime soon I will be able to.”
While Leclerc's reaction may raise eyebrows, Hamilton’s future evaluation of the car will also carry significant weight – especially given his deep experience with regulation changes and championship-winning machinery.
With a little under 8 months until the new rules hit the track for real, Ferrari and the rest of the grid still have time to iterate and improve. But Leclerc’s verdict serves as an early warning: the road to 2026 looks to be bumpier than anticipated.
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