The Ferrari driver analyzed the start of the season and acknowledged that Mercedes has a clear advantage in the power unit. Even so, he assured that the team will work to reduce the gap in the upcoming races.
The start of the 2026 Formula 1 championship has left a clear picture in terms of competitiveness among manufacturers. In the first sessions of the year, Mercedes showed a particularly strong level of performance, especially regarding the efficiency of its power unit. That situation was openly acknowledged by Charles Leclerc.
The Ferrari driver explained that the team’s internal analysis confirms the current advantage of the German manufacturer. “I think Mercedes has an advantage with the engine,” he said when referring to the performance observed in the first tests of the championship.
For Leclerc, that difference is mainly noticeable on the straights. The available power and efficiency in energy management allow Mercedes-powered cars to maintain more consistent speeds in long acceleration sectors.
The Monegasque made it clear that Ferrari is aware of that situation. “We are not at Mercedes’ level right now,” he admitted while analyzing the direct comparison between both power units.
Beyond the self-criticism, the driver insisted that the team does not see the situation as final. From his perspective, the season has just begun and there is still room to improve the technical package.
Leclerc explained that the team’s work is focused on understanding how to extract more performance from the combination of the engine, the hybrid system, and the aerodynamics. In modern Formula 1, power unit performance depends as much on pure power as on energy efficiency.
In that sense, Ferrari believes it can still close part of the gap through adjustments in different areas of the car. Energy management, integration with the hybrid system, and aerodynamic efficiency are part of that process.
The driver also emphasized that the difference observed at one track does not necessarily repeat itself at every circuit. Each layout requires different setups and that can modify the competitive balance between teams.
For that reason, Leclerc sees the next Grand Prix as an opportunity to evaluate the team’s real situation more precisely. The Shanghai circuit features long straights and strong acceleration zones, a scenario that allows a clear analysis of engine performance.
“We still have to fight,” the driver said while explaining that Ferrari is not giving up the fight for results. The immediate objective is to reduce the gap to Mercedes as the championship progresses.
The Maranello team believes the season will be long and that technical development will play a decisive role. In a championship with more than twenty races, the ability to introduce improvements can change the competitive order.
Ultimately, Leclerc’s analysis reflects a common reality in Formula 1: manufacturers’ performance evolves constantly throughout the year. What appears today as a clear advantage can shrink as teams develop their cars.
With the championship still in its early phase and new races on the calendar, Ferrari will look to turn that development process into a tool to close the gap to Mercedes.