After defying predictions at Silverstone, Charles Leclerc refuses to get carried away and asks Ferrari to understand why the SF-26 was much more competitive than expected.
The Silverstone weekend was initially supposed to be a real test for Ferrari. Due to the new energy constraints imposed by the 2026 regulations, the Italian team feared losing a lot of ground to Mercedes, the benchmark since the start of the season.
Lewis Hamilton had even warned that the gap between the two teams could reach six tenths of a second, with the Ferrari SF-26 considered less competitive in terms of its power unit.
But the reality on track largely contradicted these forecasts. Ferrari not only resisted Mercedes but also secured its first double podium of the season with Charles Leclerc winning ahead of George Russell, while Hamilton finished third.
A performance that allowed the Scuderia to reduce its deficit in the constructors’ championship to 78 points.
Leclerc wants to understand why Ferrari surprised
Despite this victory, Charles Leclerc refuses to consider Ferrari as favorites before the Belgian Grand Prix. For him, the main goal is first to understand why the SF-26 was so competitive at Silverstone.
“I think it is still too early to say. This weekend was a huge surprise for the whole team, not just regarding the win, but especially in terms of our overall performance.”
The Monegasque believes Ferrari must analyze both its failures and successes to identify the true strengths of its car.
“When things go much worse than expected, you have to analyze. But when they go much better than expected, you also have to understand why.”
Before the British Grand Prix, Ferrari thought it would be far behind.
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“I remember the Thursday meetings: we thought we were at least five or six tenths behind. In the end, we were much closer and even won.”
Spa will be a new challenge for the SF-26
The next meeting at Spa-Francorchamps should provide more answers. The Belgian circuit has similar characteristics to Silverstone with its long straights and high energy demand, an area where Ferrari feared difficulties.
Even after his British success, Leclerc remains cautious.
“We thought Spa would be even more difficult than Silverstone. Since we won here, it is possible that we are a bit closer than expected, but that remains to be confirmed.”
The Ferrari driver also refuses to focus solely on a possible climb in the drivers’ championship. Despite his victory, he is still 71 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli and 39 points behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton.
The feeling with the car remains the priority
For Leclerc, the key to success lies primarily in his ability to regain full confidence behind the wheel of the SF-26.
“What I will focus on is simply regaining that feeling in the car. If I have it, I am convinced I can get the most out of it.”
The Monegasque believes Ferrari must continue working on the process rather than focusing solely on results.
“I am not going to just think about winning, because that would be the wrong approach. I just want to maximize the potential of this car.”
Before Spa, Ferrari therefore has an important opportunity: to confirm that Silverstone was not just a flash in the pan, but the start of a real rise in performance.
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