Leclerc: Ferrari needs perfect weekend at Monza as ADUO power unit debuts
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari must have a perfect weekend to win at Monza, even as the team debuts its ADUO power unit upgrade on the SF-26.
- 2019
- 2024
What Happened
Charles Leclerc met the media at Scuderia Ferrari HP's hospitality at the start of the Italian Grand Prix weekend. He says the fight for the World Championship is still on as long as it is mathematically possible, because he knows the abilities of the team and all the work done together. His approach is to focus on one race at a time, looking to get the most out of the package every time.
“We know it won't be easy here because, theoretically, this isn't an ideal track for our car, but we are counting on being able to get the best out of it.”
The power unit upgrade planned as part of ADUO will make its debut in Monza, together with other new developments on the SF-26. Leclerc said a win will also require a perfect weekend in terms of execution, and he highlighted the step forward seen this year in the team's ability to develop and innovate. He believes that progress is the result of work carried out in Maranello and said he is convinced the work will pay off.
Leclerc wins the Italian Grand Prix, with fans on their feet for the closing laps.
Leclerc wins again at Monza.
Leclerc meets the media at the start of the Italian GP weekend as Ferrari's ADUO power unit update is set to debut.
Leclerc recalled seeing fans on their feet in the grandstands for the closing laps of his 2019 win in Monza. Having also won in 2024, he makes no secret of his desire to give Ferrari fans another memorable day. He said the energy of the crowd makes the Italian Grand Prix weekend unlike any other.
“A victory at Monza would make all the hard work of a week when everything goes up a level, worthwhile.”
Previously from Ferrari N.V.
Leclerc went into Monza after taking third in Sprint Qualifying at the previous round in Zandvoort, where teammate Lewis Hamilton was seventh after a small mistake. He had said ahead of that weekend that Ferrari must focus on perfect execution in the second half of the season, and Hamilton said Ferrari built 'solid foundations' over the first half.
- Leclerc third, Hamilton seventh in Dutch GP Sprint Qualifying
- Leclerc says Ferrari must keep making progress as Dutch GP weekend begins
- Hamilton says Ferrari built "solid foundations" over first half of F1 season
Background drawn from MotorClaw's earlier coverage of Ferrari N.V.'s official releases.
Why this matters
At Ferrari's home race, Leclerc says the new ADUO power unit and other SF-26 updates are part of a development step he hopes will help him challenge, even though Monza is theoretically not ideal for the car. He still believes the World Championship is possible as long as it is mathematically possible and wants to reward the Ferrari fans who saw him win at Monza in 2019 and 2024. The team's progress reflects the work done in Maranello, Leclerc says, and he is convinced it will pay off.
Terms in This Story
- Power unit
- In Formula 1, the car's engine and hybrid energy recovery systems are known collectively as the power unit.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.