Leclerc: Ferrari focused on finishing P2, not wind tunnel gains

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Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari’s immediate focus should be on securing second place in Formula 1’s Constructors’ Championship, even if it means sacrificing valuable wind tunnel time for the 2026 season.

With the summer break underway, the Italian team holds a solid second position with 260 points, trailing the dominant McLaren team, which leads with an impressive 559 points.

Leclerc’s stance reflects the Monegasque’s belief that on-track success outweighs the long-term development advantages tied to wind tunnel restrictions.

The current system, introduced in 2021 alongside the cost cap, ties wind tunnel allowances to a team’s constructors’ standings. Teams finishing higher face reduced testing time the following year, a rule designed to balance competition.

Ferrari now finds itself in a tight race for second, with Mercedes (236 points) and Red Bull (194 points) close behind, making the battle for podium positions a critical focus as the season progresses.

Focus on Racing, Not Aero Testing

During the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc justified his preference for prioritizing results over future testing opportunities.

“I'm pretty sure it's better to finish second than third," he explained, emphasizing the value of a strong championship finish.

"However, as you said, there's also the wind tunnel time. This is not something we think of too much. When we are on track, we just want to finish as high up as possible and then we'll deal with whatever amount of hours in the wind tunnel we have. We want to target the highest possible."

Leclerc also outlined Ferrari’s broader ambitions.

“Second place in the Constructors’ is one of our targets, but the biggest target is to come back to winning races as soon as possible,” he added. “Wherever we finish, we'll work from there and see how many hours we have next year.”

Read also:

Vasseur: Ferrari perhaps ‘underestimated’ the challenge for Hamilton

Looking ahead, Leclerc offered a realistic assessment of Ferrari’s competitiveness.

“I don't think there's one track at the moment where we think we are stronger than McLaren. Consistently, McLaren is going to be the strongest car this year.

“Red Bull is a little bit more up and down, a bit like us and Mercedes, but there's one constant and that is McLaren.

“For now, I don't think there's any tracks where I go to and think we will be the favourite, but I hope I'll be surprised.”

For Leclerc, the mission is clear: fight for every point now, and worry about 2026 later.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.