Vasseur: Ferrari SF-26 not his natural fit - but Leclerc 'is on it'

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has delivered a positive assessment of Charles Leclerc’s early efforts with the Scuderia’s SF-26, suggesting the Monegasque is still adjusting to a new-generation car that doesn’t naturally suit his instincts – yet is already finding ways to extract performance.

Leclerc opened his 2026 campaign in spirited fashion, finishing third in Melbourne and fourth in China, while going wheel-to-wheel with teammate Lewis Hamilton in a pair of gripping duels.

But behind the encouraging results lies a deeper story: a driver reshaping his approach to meet the demands of Formula 1’s latest technical revolution.

“Yeah, it’s always the case that we have the biggest step in terms of regulations from 25 to 26 than other years, and this requires probably more adaptation and changes; a different approach from the drivers. He is doing it,” Vasseur explained, referencing the sweeping regulation changes.

“I’m not sure it was fitting very well with his style, but he is on it. He has a very good grip in understanding the situation with the car. He is very sharp, and he will do it.”

Leclerc’s adaptation is all the more notable given his initial skepticism. After early simulator runs last year, the Monegasque admitted he was “not a fan” of the new rules – a sentiment that hinted at the challenge ahead.

Yet if there were concerns, they have not translated into hesitation on track.

After a 2025 season in which he dragged an uncooperative Ferrari to seven podiums and a pole position, Leclerc has carried that resilience into 2026.

The SF-26, a clear step forward from its predecessor, has allowed him to take the fight to the front more consistently – even if ultimate pace remains elusive.

Mercedes Reality Check

That missing edge became impossible to ignore at the Chinese Grand Prix, where Mercedes finally revealed its full strength. With Kimi Antonelli leading home a dominant one-two ahead of George Russell, Ferrari was left chasing shadows.

Leclerc admitted the result confirmed his lingering suspicions.

“I’m not going to say I was waiting for that, because I was hoping that this pace we will never see,” he said. “But after testing, there were things that were just not stacking up.

“In the race, I didn’t understand why we were so close in Australia, why we were so close in the Sprint. I guess now it’s a little bit more in line.”

Despite the sobering gap – accentuated by a fierce intra-team scrap with Hamilton – Leclerc believes Ferrari can still make life difficult for Mercedes.

“That doesn’t mean we cannot put them under pressure,” he insisted. “With the fighting of those cars, it can be quite interesting.”

Ferrari’s strong race pace and sharp starts have already provided glimpses of that potential, even if Mercedes retains a clear advantage over a single lap.

Upgrades on the horizon

With the Japanese Grand Prix looming and a crucial development window approaching, Ferrari is preparing its next move.

“There are things in the pipeline,” Leclerc revealed. “How much is this going to make the difference when we see the gap with Mercedes, I don’t know.”

• Read also: Hamilton finding his Ferrari rhythm as Vasseur hails growing bond

That uncertainty captures Ferrari’s current reality: a team on the rise, but not yet ready to dethrone the benchmark.

For now, Vasseur’s faith rests on Leclerc’s ability to keep evolving. If the driver can fully align his style with the SF-26’s demands, Ferrari’s flashes of promise may yet turn into something far more formidable.

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