Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): “Hamilton has nothing that I don’t have too”

Charles Leclerc is in a tight spot. Just when Ferrari is back in contention for victory after almost two years, his team-mate Lewis Hamilton has won a Grand Prix. Leclerc has recently been trailing the record-breaking champion in Canada, Monaco and Spain.

The tables have turned: back in 2025, Leclerc had the most successful Formula 1 driver well under control. Hamilton struggled with the Ferrari’s handling; he also had to get used to the team’s internal procedures, and his relationship with his race engineer, Riccardo Adami, was strained.

In 2026, it’s a completely different story: a completely different race car, with plenty of input from the champion; things are going really well with his new engineer, Carlo Santi; Hamilton is hungry and raring to go; and suddenly it’s Leclerc who is at odds with himself and the world.

In Montreal and Monte Carlo, Leclerc complained that he couldn’t get to grips with the brakes; since Catalonia, he has been using the same Carbon Industries brake discs as Hamilton. But once again, Hamilton was the faster man.

Leclerc now urgently needs a strong response on the track, as he is already 40 points behind Hamilton in the World Championship standings.

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Charles in the paddock at the Red Bull Ring: “I don’t feel particularly stressed; I just want a clean weekend, and then the results will follow.”

“The last few races haven’t been much fun. I didn’t feel comfortable in the car in Montreal and Monte Carlo; I lost a bit of confidence in the car there. On top of that came the retirements in Monaco and Spain. We’ve lost a lot of points.”

“On the positive side, I felt more comfortable in the car again in Barcelona, and I hope that continues here. We’ve got a winning car again, and if I do my bit, then I can win again too.”

“It won’t be an easy task here. On paper, Mercedes should be stronger than us here. On the other hand, it’s going to be hot, and most recently in Spain, the Ferrari handled the tyres very well in such conditions.”

Rumour in the paddock: the 2026 Ferrari’s handling is said to suit Hamilton’s driving style more than Leclerc’s. Charles disagrees: “That’s not true. We have plenty of scope for set-up adjustments with the new cars, and I’m not restricted in any way. I don’t have any fundamental issues with the car; things were going well at the start of the year. It’s just that, as I said, I was restricted in Montreal and Monte Carlo.”

What are Charles’ hopes that things will go better here? “I already felt more comfortable in Barcelona, and I like the Red Bull Ring – it allows for a nice rhythm, which I enjoy. I don’t dwell on the fact that my last win was a while ago.”

“I know the Ferrari is a winning car again; Lewis Hamilton has proved it. Now it’s up to me.”