2026 Chinese language GP | Leclerc on his battle with Hamilton: “I’m upset to not…”
Charles Leclerc commented on the 2026 Chinese language Grand Prix after ending fourth behind Lewis Hamilton: “I’m upset to not…,” he stated, sharing his ideas on the finish of the race. The Monegasque driver mirrored on a hard-fought battle with Lewis Hamilton, which in the end noticed him simply outdoors the rostrum.
The Prancing Horse concluded the Shanghai Grand Prix with third and fourth place finishes. After one other lightning-fast begin, each Ferrari drivers battled Mercedes for nearly half the race. Ferrari continues to pay a big energy unit hole and is working arduous to shut it. In fact, the season is lengthy, and Maranello should stay targeted to get better floor. The SF-26 exhibits itself as a automotive with spectacular aerodynamic downforce and glorious chassis efficiency, however that alone isn’t sufficient. The China race additionally featured an intense duel between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton: listed below are the #16’s phrases on it.
Leclerc: “I’m positive Fred didn’t prefer it…”
“The battle with Lewis? I actually loved it. I’m positive Fred didn’t prefer it [laughs, ed.] and that a number of the different crew members have been a bit careworn, however truthfully, it’s improbable to see Formulation 1 like this in a race. Qualifying is completely different. Speaking with the opposite drivers, we’re all on the identical web page: in qualifying, we have to make a couple of small changes. However within the race, I actually had enjoyable—each in Australia, yesterday within the dash, and as we speak. Lewis was merely quicker from begin to end; this weekend he was on one other degree, congratulations to him. I’m completely happy for him for the rostrum. In fact, I’m upset to not have made it myself, however that’s the way it went. I’ll work to do higher subsequent time on this circuit.”
Charles Leclerc smiles and focuses on essentially the most pleasant side of the race. The combat between teammates excited followers but additionally raised considerations. Each drivers share nice mutual respect, and the Monegasque is nicely conscious of Lewis Hamilton’s velocity. With the SF-26, the British driver can drive as he prefers, braking arduous—a functionality he didn’t have on the similar degree final yr. It’s essential to have two drivers able to difficult Mercedes. “From the beginning of the season, it’s been clear: Lewis is extremely quick. He was very quick final yr too, however the automobiles have been very completely different. It’s improbable to have each automobiles right here, particularly with these new rules; there’s actually one thing to combat for when battling the frontrunners, and having Lewis and me capable of continually problem Mercedes is constructive, so it’s high-quality.”
Charles Leclerc’s balanced perspective in Shanghai underscores the rising concord throughout the Ferrari storage, at the same time as the inner competitors reaches a boiling level. By acknowledging that Lewis Hamilton was “on one other degree” this weekend, the Monegasque demonstrates a maturity that can be important if Ferrari hopes to overtake the Mercedes lead within the Constructors’ Championship. The truth that each drivers really feel they’ve a automotive they’ll lastly “assault” with is essentially the most promising signal for the Tifosi because the 2026 rules have been introduced. Whereas the rostrum eluded him as we speak, Charles Leclerc’s focus stays on the larger image: a coordinated Ferrari assault on the Silver Arrows’ supremacy. The information from this intra-team battle can be essential in fine-tuning the SF-26’s power deployment to make sure that subsequent time, it’s a crimson automotive on the highest step.
Mar 15, 2026
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