Leclerc on F1 2024: Ferrari’s Position, Rivals & New Car Challenges

Bahrain – Charles Leclerc acknowledges Ferrari currently trails Red Bull and McLaren, but remains optimistic about the team’s progress as preparations for the 2026 season unfold. Speaking ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver offered a candid assessment of the competitive landscape, highlighting both the strengths of rival teams and Ferrari’s own development trajectory.

Leclerc emphasized the difficulty in accurately gauging the true performance levels of each team during pre-season testing. “It’s already difficult to make predictions with the previous generation of cars, let alone now,” he stated. “I believe it’s easy to hide a car’s true potential in many different ways.”

Despite the uncertainty, Leclerc expressed satisfaction with Ferrari’s pre-season program, noting a clean run without reliability issues. “As far as we are concerned, I’m happy with how we are progressing with our program. So far, we haven’t had any reliability problems, and that’s a fundamental factor in starting the season well. At the moment, everything is in line with our expectations. I believe we have a good base to work from, and improve.”

When asked to rank the teams, Leclerc placed Red Bull and Mercedes slightly ahead of Ferrari. “Regarding our opponents, there’s Red Bull, who have shown some really impressive things in terms of their power unit, especially here in Bahrain. Mercedes has also shown, at times, very interesting signals, and in this specific case, I would say they are hiding quite a bit. Then there’s us and probably McLaren, who have been difficult to interpret so far.”

The discussion shifted to the new generation of Formula 1 cars, prompting Leclerc to address the ongoing debate surrounding their design and driving experience. While acknowledging the challenges, he maintained a positive outlook, focusing on the opportunities for innovation and development.

“I don’t think this is the most fun car I’ve ever driven, but I’m finding enjoyment in a different way,” Leclerc explained. “I find it very interesting to develop something completely new. It’s nice to be able to think a little outside the box and try to find new solutions to maximize the car’s performance. But the real pleasure of driving it is something else.”

Leclerc also highlighted the need for drivers to adapt their driving styles to the characteristics of the new cars, emphasizing the increased complexity of managing the various systems. “A Formula 1 driver must always be prepared to accept a change in their driving style. This year, there’s a lot of new things, but I think that’s due to the amount of work we have to do when we’re in the car. The percentage of pure driving is slightly lower now; we think a lot about how to exploit all the systems around us. You have to think actively much more than in the past, but from the driving point of view, it’s something we’re used to. Even when you switch from qualifying to the race, as we saw last year, you change your driving style a lot.”

One positive aspect Leclerc noted was the reduced weight of the new cars. “I think the biggest new thing I appreciate is the reduced weight of the car. The car is a bit more alive, and the balance is better. You can play more with the car, having a very reactive rear. Last year, the weight was more difficult to manage, and personally, I’ve always liked oversteering cars.”

However, Leclerc also echoed concerns raised by other drivers regarding the difficulty of overtaking. “I share what my colleagues have said; I currently find it extremely difficult to overtake. But with time, we may be able to improve the management of these situations. Every overtake comes at a price, and I think today the price is much higher than in the past. It won’t be easy to overtake an opponent and create a margin as happened until last year; it will be more complicated.”

The Ferrari driver’s comments come as teams continue to refine their understanding of the new regulations and car designs. The Bahrain Grand Prix will provide the first competitive opportunity to assess the relative performance of each team and the effectiveness of their pre-season preparations. The early indications suggest a closely contested season, with Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari, and McLaren all appearing to be in contention for race wins.