P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc has spoken of his desire to see Ferrari return to the front of the F1 pecking order following his first morning in the SF-26 at the Barcelona shakedown test.
Charles Leclerc expressed his aspiration to see Ferrari regain its position at the forefront of Formula 1 following his initial drive in the SF-26 at the Barcelona shakedown test, emphasizing the team’s renewed optimism for the upcoming season.
With the introduction of new technical and power unit regulations in 2026, Ferrari aims to reset and overcome the disappointments of the previous year, marked by missed opportunities and strategic errors.
Despite slipping to fourth in the constructors’ championship in the previous season, Leclerc and Ferrari remain determined to make a strong comeback, as evident from their approach to testing and development of the SF-26.
The limited shakedown at Fiorano was followed by more extensive track time in Barcelona, where Leclerc primarily focused on system checks rather than pure performance, highlighting the team’s systematic approach to improvements.
Leclerc reflected positively on the new car, emphasizing the need to verify the functionality of all new systems before focusing on speed, while hinting at a gradual progression towards maximizing performance throughout the testing period.
As Ferrari works towards understanding and optimizing the SF-26, Leclerc’s anticipation and drive to lead the team back to the top underscore the collective efforts and high expectations within the Ferrari camp for the upcoming season.
