Ferrari can look back on a season in Formula 1 that in no way lived up to its own standards. Not a single win, fourth place in the constructors’ world championship: this meant an extremely frustrating result for the Scuderia. But behind the sober numbers lies a conscious strategic decision: Since April, the development focus has been on the coming year and thus on the new rule era of Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc sees this as a great opportunity for a new beginning. The Monegasse is convinced that Ferrari can finally give him a car with which victories are possible.
“Yes, I do, and next year will be crucial,” says Leclerc. “The whole team is incredibly motivated for next year because it’s such a big change.” For the Ferrari star, one thing is certain: 2026 will be about setting the course for possibly several years.
His first declaration of war on the competition is correspondingly bold. For Leclerc it is “a huge opportunity to show what Ferrari is capable of.”
Leclerc looks back on a “very disappointing” season
Looking at the new technological era, he emphasizes: “It’s now or never, so I really hope that we start this new era well because that’s important for the four years after.”
His assessment goes even further: “I think by race six or seven we will have a good idea of which teams will dominate in the four years after that.” Transferred to the 2026 calendar, it could be clear by the Canadian Grand Prix in May at the latest whether Ferrari is actually a title candidate again.
After a season that Leclerc himself described as “very disappointing,” this would be a much-needed relief. “It was tough. I don’t know whether it was the toughest season or not,” he says openly. “I tend to forget negative feelings as quickly as possible.”