Charles Leclerc: Copying Max Verstappen's Red Bull success would be a 'mistake'

Charles Leclerc has dismissed the idea of following Max Verstappen's Red Bull blueprint, calling it a "mistake" to copy a success story he cannot fully see from the outside. With Verstappen now locked in at Red Bull through 2030 and sitting on four titles and 71 wins, Leclerc insists Ferrari must chart its own course through internal process rather than imitation.

Why it matters:

Leclerc remains without a world championship despite nine grand prix wins across eight seasons at Ferrari, a stark contrast to Verstappen's dominant run. His refusal to mimic Verstappen's methods underscores a reality in Formula 1: the internal machinery, team culture, and development philosophies that drive one organization rarely transfer cleanly to another. For Ferrari, chasing Red Bull's shadow risks diverting attention from its own structural gaps.

The details:

• Speaking to media including RacingNews365, Leclerc admitted he has "no idea" what Verstappen does inside Red Bull to extract maximum performance, making any attempt at replication pure speculation.
• He emphasized focusing on Ferrari's "own situation" and the internal processes he can control, rather than imagining a rival's approach.
• The Monegasque has scored one victory in 2026 but has frequently found himself trailing teammate Lewis Hamilton, adding pressure to deliver within Ferrari's current framework.
• Leclerc revealed Ferrari holds a "very clear view" of its weaknesses relative to Mercedes—currently the field's benchmark—and is pushing hard on development plans for the months ahead.

What's next:

Leclerc struck an optimistic tone about Ferrari's upcoming upgrades, suggesting the team knows precisely where to find performance. With Mercedes setting the standard this season, the coming races will reveal whether Ferrari's faith in its own process can produce the consistent results needed to rejoin the title fight.