Leclerc Confident After Silverstone Win, Adapts Driving Style for Belgian GP
Charles Leclerc arrives at Spa-Francorchamps as the winner of the previous round and is optimistic that his comfort with the SF-26 will bring continued success.
2026
1 cars
What Happened
Charles Leclerc met the media ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix as the winner of the previous round at Silverstone. He discussed the progress made with the SF-26 and the work still to be done, emphasizing the need to take positives from the victory. Leclerc noted that while the result was surprising, optimism remains high if he can maintain a comfortable feeling with the car.
“It's a great feeling to arrive here after the victory at Silverstone. We had some difficult weekends before that, so it's encouraging to see that all the hard work is paying off. We still have things to analyse because the result was a little surprising, but I'm optimistic that if I can keep feeling comfortable with the car, the results will come naturally.”
Leclerc also reflected on how the current generation of Formula 1 cars have required him to adapt his naturally aggressive driving style. He explained that while being aggressive on corner entry worked throughout his career, these cars demand cleaner and more efficient driving; otherwise, a penalty is paid on the following straight due to power unit management.
“This place is very special for me. It's where I took my first Formula 1 victory, but it's also where I lost my friend Anthoine Hubert. Every time I come back here, it's a truly unique feeling. I can’t wait to get out on track tomorrow.”
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Ferrari heads to the Belgian Grand Prix with confidence after recent wins in Barcelona and Silverstone, as reported in prior coverage.
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
Leclerc's confidence grows from his Silverstone victory, but he acknowledges needed driving style adjustments for current F1 cars. His emotional connection to Spa, where he won his first race and lost a friend, adds depth to this weekend's performance.
Terms in This Story
- SF-26
- Ferrari's 2026 Formula 1 car.
- power unit
- The engine and hybrid system in a Formula 1 car.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.