Leclerc: Ferrari doesn’t need to fit 2026 car around Hamilton

Charles Leclerc believes there is no need for Ferrari to adjust its 2026 car to better suit Lewis Hamilton’s driving style, as the team prepares for a new era of Formula 1 regulations and the second season of the high-profile Leclerc-Hamilton partnership.

With sweeping changes to F1’s technical regulations on the horizon – including revamped chassis and power unit architecture – the Scuderia is hard at work developing its 2026 war horse.

It’s been speculated that the Italian outfit could steer development toward Hamilton’s preferences in a bid to help the seven-time world champion find more comfort after a challenging debut season with the team.

But Leclerc, who has been with Ferrari since 2019 and remains one of the team’s pillars, says he’s fully confident in the team’s ability to accommodate both drivers without compromise.

The Fastest Car Possible

“I'm not concerned at all because it's always a big talking point outside the team,” Leclerc said at Silverstone last weekend when asked about the possibility of the car moving away from his preferred characteristics.

“Within the team, we've got all the tools to adapt a car to my way in terms of driving style or to Lewis' style.

“So I don't think that's the problem, and I just want the fastest car possible next year. That's exactly what Lewis wants, and then wherever we are next year, I'll set up the car in a way that I like, and Lewis will do just the same.”

The Monégasque driver emphasized that the focus at this stage of development is on raw performance rather than personal setup preferences.

With modern F1 teams equipped with advanced simulation and adjustment tools, Leclerc is confident any differences in driving style can be handled without issue.

“I'm really not worried about it,” he continued. “I think we are in a time where, now in Formula 1, the engineers and with where the technology is at, we just need the fastest car.

“We just put the fastest car on track, and then we've got all the freedom available.

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“It's not like back in 10 or 15 years ago where you were a bit stuck into a corner in terms of balance and you didn't have the tools to make the car go faster.

“Now we do have those tools, so I'm definitely not worried.”

While Hamilton has experienced difficulties adapting to Ferrari’s SF-25, frequently voicing discomfort with the car’s handling characteristics, Leclerc has generally shown more consistency throughout the current campaign.

Still, both drivers share the same goal heading into 2026: putting Ferrari back at the front.

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