Leclerc 'very excited' by first taste of Ferrari's 2026 car

Charles Leclerc described his first laps in Ferrari's 2026 SF-26 as "very exciting" after a wet shakedown session in Barcelona, emphasizing a methodical focus on system checks over outright performance. The Monegasque driver expressed optimism that the new regulatory era represents a major opportunity for Ferrari to return to the top of Formula 1.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents the biggest technical reset in recent years, offering teams a chance to gain a significant advantage. For Ferrari and Leclerc, who last won a drivers' championship in 2007 and a constructors' title in 2008, nailing this new car is seen as a critical opportunity to end a long drought and challenge Red Bull's current dominance.

The Details:

• Leclerc was the first driver to sample the new SF-26 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during a rain-affected session, which the team used for preliminary system validation rather than performance runs.
• He reported that all new systems on the "very, very all-new car" were working properly, calling it a positive first step.
• The team's plan for the three-day shakedown is to work through a detailed checklist, slowly progressing from functionality checks to performance analysis later in the test.
• Leclerc highlighted the unique chance 2026 presents: "This year is a big opportunity for every team to do something different and to maybe gain a bigger advantage than what we’ve seen in the last few years."

What's next:

Ferrari will continue its testing program in Barcelona, with two more days scheduled to refine the SF-26 and gather crucial data. All eyes will be on the competitive order once teams begin to push their new cars in earnest, with Leclerc hopeful Ferrari can be the team that makes the difference. "Wherever we start, we will push at the maximum to try and bring Ferrari back to the top," he stated.