Leclerc believes in Ferrari title push: ‘We can fight for it’

There’s a renewed spark inside Ferrari as Charles Leclerc strikes an upbeat tone about the start of the team’s 2026 season, insisting the championship remains wide open while praising the strides made with the SF-26.

After a challenging and winless campaign last year, the Scuderia has emerged looking sharper, faster, and far more cohesive. And at the heart of that resurgence is Leclerc himself – energized, confident, and clearly enjoying the new-generation machine beneath him.

Currently sitting third in the drivers’ standings, chasing championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell, Leclerc has every reason to feel encouraged by Ferrari’s early momentum.

A perfect harmony of man and machine

During a recent appearance on the BMST podcast in Italy, the Monegasque driver couldn't hide his enthusiasm for the progress Ferrari has made behind the scenes. The synergy between the cockpit and the factory appears to be at an all-time high.

"I think we made some good progress with the car," Leclerc shared with a smile. "I think we have a good car. At the moment, I'm enjoying it.

“I think the team's working very well with the updates. The engineers are doing a great job. And I'm enjoying driving it."

For Leclerc, the SF-26 isn't just a fast car; it’s a canvas.

"I think we have the potential to be competitive. It’s a car that allows me to express myself, I have the pace, the pace is there,” he explained.

“It's me now, I have to maximise the opportunities, I have to be consistent, I have to not make mistakes, and I think if I do that I can be competitive.”

Eyes on the ultimate prize

While the start of the season has been a whirlwind of positivity, the 28-year-old remains grounded, acknowledging that the road to the title is a marathon, not a sprint.

He emphasized that maintaining this upward trajectory requires a laser-like focus on the variables within their grasp.

"The championship is long, and things change, strategies change, fortunes change," he noted.

"So I think it's important to focus on what you can control, which is your performance and your consistency. I think if you're consistent, you can be there at the end. So that's what I'm trying to do."

That consistency is bolstered by a rock-solid relationship with Ferrari’s technical team.

"And I feel like I'm working very well with my engineer, I feel like we're on the same page, we're understanding each other very well, and that's key," Leclerc added.

"Then on the car side, there's always room for improvement everywhere, but I think the car is competitive now."

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With the momentum firmly on the Italian outfit’s side, the dream of bringing a world title back to Italy feels more tangible than it has in years, although the Scuderia’s direct rivals – Mercedes and McLaren – will be tough acts to beat.

"I'm happy. I'm really happy with how it's going. And then there's the focus on the championship, obviously. So we need to score points, be consistent, and try to be at the front. So that's the goal," he said.

When pressed on whether a true title fight is on the cards, his answer was definitive: "Yes, I think we can. I think if we have the pace, if we have the car and we execute well, then yes, we can fight for it."

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