Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s standout star in Formula 1 for seven years, and his eighth season could be his best chance yet at winning the championship. This potential hinges on whether the Scuderia can launch a strong competitor as significant changes are anticipated for the 2026 season.
After a confidential shakedown in Barcelona and six days of testing in Bahrain, the outlook for Leclerc and Ferrari appears promising. The team seems well-positioned to innovate, with rumors suggesting that their new turbo-hybrid power unit is noteworthy. Given these factors, our panel of experts weighs in on Leclerc’s potential in F1 2026.
Ronald Vording – Leclerc ranks just behind Verstappen
Among the current drivers, Charles Leclerc stands out as ready for a title showdown, having often lacked the machinery to compete fully. The Monegasque has outperformed both Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton in comparable cars, yet he still hasn’t secured a serious title shot.
This doesn’t diminish Leclerc’s advancement, as I have placed him second behind Max Verstappen. There’s no question about Leclerc’s pure speed, making it challenging for any teammate to outqualify him. His innate speed—especially on street circuits—has matured into a more reliable race pace with fewer mistakes recently.
Stuart Codling – Concerns about Ferrari’s development speed
Leclerc’s qualifying speed is a thrilling aspect of grand prix racing. He exemplifies grace and skill even with a challenging car. Initially skeptical about the new energy management for 2026, he’s since shown eagerness to embrace the challenge. Ferrari’s post-testing performance looks promising, yet their development decisions in the past have been questioned. As one seasoned observer noted, “Ferrari often finds a way to mess things up…”
If the team gets it right this time, Leclerc could have his best shot at the world title that has proven elusive.
Jake Boxall-Legge – 2026 may be Leclerc’s greatest opportunity
Leclerc’s impressive lap time of 1m31.992s during the Bahrain tests, though not entirely indicative due to context, shows he’s mastering the nuances of the 2026 cars. Despite ups and downs in his career, his commitment to Ferrari signifies that he aspires not just to win but to do so with the iconic team. With expectations of Ferrari competing closely with Mercedes in 2026, this season could present his strongest chance yet. While Leclerc is among the top qualifiers, his low rate of converting pole positions often reflects the performance of his cars rather than his talent. Should this year’s SF-26 be competitive in races, he stands a solid chance at the title.
