Charles Leclerc Raves About “Super Interesting” 2026 F1 Cars: A New Era of Racing Unfolds!
In a striking revelation, Ferrari’s star driver Charles Leclerc has expressed an exhilarating sense of comfort with the groundbreaking 2026 Formula 1 cars, dubbing them “super interesting.” After a challenging start, Leclerc’s experience behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 has taken a thrilling turn, igniting hopes for a promising season ahead.
Following a wet and unpredictable initial outing on Tuesday, Leclerc finally hit the dry asphalt of Barcelona on Thursday. Clocking an impressive 89 laps, he joined forces with teammate Lewis Hamilton, who had already laid down 85 laps during the morning session, marking a highly productive day for the Scuderia team.
Back in July, Leclerc voiced concerns about the new generation of F1 cars, which demand a greater reliance on electric energy deployment. He had tested an early version of the SF-26 in the Ferrari simulator, leading him to express doubts about the car’s drivability. “Let’s say it’s not the most enjoyable race car I’ve driven so far,” he admitted back then. “But we are still in a moment where the project is relatively new.” His skepticism stemmed from the anticipation that the new regulations could make the driving experience less enjoyable.
Fast forward to today, and Leclerc’s outlook has dramatically shifted. After getting behind the real deal, he is embracing the challenges of the launch version of this innovative car, despite acknowledging the steep learning curve. “It’s super interesting,” Leclerc exclaimed. “It’s the first day for me in the car in normal conditions, so there’s a lot to learn and discover. It’s a very different car from what we’ve been driving since I arrived in Formula 1. I take that as a challenge and actually quite like that everything is new. There might be an opportunity for us drivers to think outside the box.”
Leclerc has admitted to feeling increasingly at ease, stating, “It remains an F1 car as well; it’s not like I was completely lost when I got back into the car.” However, he also noted that managing this new vehicle, with 50% of its power coming from an electric engine, adds layers of complexity to the driving experience. “The learning curve is quite steep, but it’s very interesting,” he emphasized.
As the Scuderia gears up for another day on the track, Leclerc acknowledged that their checklist remains “massive.” Despite the uncertainty surrounding their performance, he remains optimistic. “In terms of performance, I have no idea where we are, and it’s just a huge question mark,” he said candidly. “But in terms of the checklist of things we wanted to go through, we are kind of on time with our program, so that’s good.”
With the clock ticking down in this week-long shakedown in Spain, Ferrari is poised to tackle a myriad of tests and setups. “There are still many, many things that we want to test and try differently,” Leclerc confirmed. As the 2026 season approaches, the anticipation surrounding Ferrari and their innovative new car continues to grow, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this electrifying saga.
