Leclerc Finds Comfort in Ferrari’s 2026 Car after Barcelona Shakedown

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc told reporters he’s feeling increasingly at ease in the Scuderia’s brand‑new 2026 car after a dry shakedown in Barcelona, calling the experience “super interesting” despite a steep learning curve. The 2026 regulations push half of the car’s power from an electric motor, forcing drivers to adapt their style early in the development phase.

Why it matters:

• The SF‑26 is Ferrari’s first car built to the 2026 hybrid‑heavy rulebook; driver confidence can accelerate setup work and shorten the performance gap to rivals.
• Early comfort with the new power‑unit architecture could give Ferrari a tactical edge in a season where electrical deployment will dominate lap times.

The details:

• Leclerc completed 89 laps on a dry Barcelona circuit after an initial wet run, noting the car feels very different from the V6‑turbo era he debuted with.
• He previously warned the 2026 car would be “less enjoyable” to drive because 50 % of its power now comes from the electric motor, demanding new braking and throttle techniques.
• After today’s session he said, “I definitely feel more and more comfortable… it’s not like I was completely lost when I got back into the car.”
• The hybrid system delivers roughly half its total output electrically, making energy‑recovery management a central part of lap strategy.
• Leclerc highlighted the “massive” checklist the team still has to run, from setup tweaks to software calibrations, underscoring the breadth of work still ahead.

What’s next:

• Ferrari will finish a week‑long shakedown in Spain, using the remaining days to validate the hybrid integration and fine‑tune aerodynamics.
• Leclerc expects the car to evolve significantly over the next months as the team refines the power‑unit map and driver‑assist tools.
• With all teams facing the same 50 % electric split, early driver familiarity could become a decisive factor when the 2026 season launches.