Despite a flood of upgrades, Charles Leclerc tempers expectations. Ferrari could improve… without immediately worrying Mercedes.
The Miami Grand Prix marks a turning point in this 2026 season. After an exceptional five-week break, almost the entire paddock arrives with massive technical packages, sometimes close to a completely redesigned car.
At Ferrari, expectations are high. Like their rivals McLaren and Red Bull Racing, the Scuderia hopes to make a leap in performance thanks to these innovations. A very rare situation at this stage of the season, accentuated by a disrupted calendar.
Leclerc tempers: Mercedes remains untouchable
But despite this prevailing optimism, Charles Leclerc has dampened hopes of an immediate upheaval in the hierarchy. For the Monegasque, the upgrades introduced this weekend will not be enough to close the gap with Mercedes, currently the benchmark on the grid.
“We will see a lot of upgrades on all the cars, almost as if some teams are arriving with a new car, he explains. But will it fundamentally change the established order? I doubt it.”
A clear-eyed observation, highlighting the extent of the delay accumulated against the Silver Arrows since the start of the season.
Ferrari first targets McLaren
If Mercedes still seems out of reach in the short term, Ferrari is mainly looking in its rearview mirror… or almost. The battle with McLaren promises to be particularly tight, especially after the performances observed during the last race.
“McLaren was very close to us. I think our package can make the difference, I hope in our favor” adds Leclerc.
The goal is therefore clear: to consolidate Ferrari’s position at the front of the pack before considering a real offensive on Mercedes. A gradual strategy, made necessary by the still too large gap.
Miami, a turning point for development
Beyond the immediate results, this weekend in Florida could especially redefine the technical directions for the rest of the season. The data collected will be valuable to adjust development choices in a still young regulatory context.
“This weekend will be very interesting because it will dictate a lot for what comes next, Leclerc estimates. We will analyze what others have brought and maybe explore new directions.”
In short, Miami will not only be a battle on the track but also a key moment in the development war.
Even if Ferrari progresses, Leclerc’s message is clear: it will take more than a simple package of upgrades to bring down Mercedes. The comeback promises to be longer… and more complex than expected.