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Charles Leclerc defies doubts: why Ferrari’s bold 2026 gamble may be their golden ticket

Carl Smith by Carl Smith
December 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Charles Leclerc defies doubts: why Ferrari’s bold 2026 gamble may be their golden ticket
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F1 SHOCKER: Charles Leclerc Stands Firm in Ferrari’s 2026 Gamble Despite 2025 Heartbreak

In a season riddled with turmoil and disappointment, Charles Leclerc has come out swinging, staunchly defending Ferrari’s audacious decision to pivot towards the 2026 regulations. As the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix looms on the horizon, marking the end of a challenging chapter for the Scuderia, Leclerc reflects on a campaign fraught with struggles, particularly highlighting the dismal outing in Qatar.

The Monegasque driver lamented, “We have ideas of what we could have tested. Whether these are the solutions is another story,” hinting at the uncertainty that plagued Ferrari’s performance throughout the season. Despite the setbacks, he insists, “We have ideas in what we didn’t try during that weekend,” reinforcing the belief that the team is on the brink of breakthroughs, even if they haven’t yet found the “100% solution.”

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With the pressure mounting and the stakes higher than ever, Leclerc emphatically dismissed the notion that Ferrari would repeat their lackluster form in Abu Dhabi. “No, surely it’s been accentuated by the fact that Qatar was never going to be a track where we would be strong,” he asserted, expressing confidence that the team would return to form, targeting a finish as the third strongest team on the grid.

As the latter half of the season unfolded, Ferrari’s performance took a nosedive, overshadowed by rivals like Red Bull and Mercedes who continued to unveil upgrades. Instead of scrambling for immediate gains, Ferrari has set its sights firmly on the future, investing heavily in the development of a radically different chassis and powertrain for 2026.

Leclerc candidly recounted the challenges, stating, “In the beginning of ’22 we actually started off quite strongly, but we were struggling with porpoising,” a problem that has haunted them while their competitors thrived. He acknowledged, “We focused very early on next year’s car, which I hope is a bet that will be a winning one.” Yet, the decision came with consequences, as Ferrari’s lack of upgrades rendered them vulnerable, leading to a disappointing performance in the standings.

Despite the glaring issues, Leclerc holds no regrets about Ferrari’s strategic shift. “Not so much because we were at a technical disadvantage from the first race,” he explained, recognizing early on that competing for the title was a distant dream as McLaren and Red Bull surged ahead. “There wasn’t very much of a point to put all our resources in trying to take the third or the second place if everything was going super well in the constructors’ at the cost of next year,” he emphasized, making it clear that prioritizing future development was a necessary sacrifice.

The eight-time race winner feels a personal sense of satisfaction with his own performance this season, despite the team’s struggles. “I think it’s been a strong season on my side,” he stated, proud of his podium finishes even as he grapples with the harsh reality of a car that has failed to deliver on its potential. “What we are missing eventually is the performance on the car. And for that, I hope that next year will be better.”

With just one race remaining, Ferrari’s hopes of climbing higher than fourth in the constructors’ standings are fading fast. However, eyes are firmly fixed on 2026, where the expectations will be nothing short of monumental. Will this gamble pay off, or will Ferrari’s long-standing legacy continue to hang in the balance? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: Leclerc is ready to fight for his team, no matter the odds.

Tags: 1958-formula-1-season2025-abu-dhabi-grand-prixaf-corse-ferrariCharles Leclerc
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