Charles Leclerc has discovered his approach once more as Ferrari prepares to place Mercedes underneath strain
When assessing whether or not a crew’s progress is real or just the product of 1 significantly profitable weekend, the ultimate end result not often tells the entire story. As a substitute, the true solutions are sometimes discovered within the technical particulars, the setup decisions and the route taken behind the scenes.
That’s exactly the conclusion reached by famend Formulation 1 technical journalist Giorgio Piola through the newest episode of Motor Information, the place he analysed Ferrari’s latest resurgence. In Piola’s view, the Scuderia’s enchancment extends effectively past Charles Leclerc’s victory and displays a big shift within the technical philosophy of the SF-26.
In keeping with the veteran Formulation 1 professional, one of many clearest indicators of Ferrari’s progress has been Charles Leclerc’s renewed confidence behind the wheel. After a number of races spent attempting to adapt to a setup philosophy that differed from his pure driving fashion, the Monegasque seems to have rediscovered the steadiness that enables him to extract the utmost from the automotive.
For Piola, that renewed concord between driver and machine may develop into one among Ferrari’s biggest strengths through the second half of the 2026 Formulation 1 season.
Charles Leclerc regains confidence as Ferrari returns to a clearer technical route
Reviewing Ferrari’s British Grand Prix weekend, Giorgio Piola defined that Charles Leclerc ultimately determined to maneuver away from the setup route he had initially explored alongside Lewis Hamilton and as a substitute returned to a configuration that higher suited his personal driving traits.
“Charles Leclerc first tried to comply with Lewis Hamilton’s setup decisions and technical options, however right here he most popular to return to his personal route. That’s the reason the qualifying end result additionally mirrored two barely completely different setups between the Ferrari drivers. Charles Leclerc discovered himself once more, and that’s extraordinarily pleasing as a result of no one has ever questioned his expertise, simply as I personally by no means questioned Lewis Hamilton’s class when, sadly, he endured a really tough season final yr. Ferrari can now be very comfortable as a result of each drivers are acting at their highest degree.”
Nonetheless, Piola believes essentially the most encouraging signal was not merely Charles Leclerc’s efficiency however the total methodology adopted by Ferrari all through the weekend.
Following the intensive experimentation carried out through the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, Ferrari arrived at Silverstone with a a lot clearer technical route. Quite than persevering with to guage a number of configurations, the crew dedicated early to a low-drag aerodynamic bundle that appeared to swimsuit the circuit completely.
“There have been no revolutionary upgrades, however Ferrari began the weekend with precisely the proper method by adopting a considerably completely different low-drag setup. The crew used the up to date entrance wing that includes the dive-plane launched in Spain, whereas even reverting to the Melbourne specification for the bargeboards. In Austria Ferrari carried out numerous experiments and nonetheless seemed as if it was trying to find the proper answer. At Silverstone, regardless of the Dash format, each vehicles started the weekend with a clearly outlined setup route.”
Ferrari additionally making vital progress with energy unit administration
One other space that caught Piola’s consideration was Ferrari’s obvious enchancment in managing the ability unit all through a race weekend.
Though he acknowledged that Mercedes continues to set the benchmark in relation to deploying electrical energy effectively, Piola believes Ferrari has made substantial progress on this division as effectively.
“I consider Ferrari has made main enhancements in engine administration. Mercedes demonstrated throughout each the Dash and the Grand Prix simply how efficient its energy deployment stays, however I feel Ferrari has taken a big step ahead. From this level onwards, the Scuderia must be able to placing real strain on Mercedes. At Spa-Francorchamps Ferrari will most likely nonetheless should defend, however in Hungary I consider the 2 groups may compete on virtually equal phrases.”
If that evaluation proves right, Ferrari’s improvement programme may lastly be delivering enhancements not solely in outright tempo but additionally in race execution—an space the place Mercedes has historically loved a aggressive benefit.
Spa-Francorchamps will present Ferrari’s subsequent main check
Regardless of Ferrari’s encouraging progress, Piola urged warning forward of the Belgian Grand Prix.
In his opinion, the high-speed nature of Spa-Francorchamps continues to favour Mercedes due to the circuit’s emphasis on engine efficiency and straight-line effectivity.
“I feel Ferrari may discover itself on the defensive at Spa as a result of it’s a circuit that locations huge emphasis on engine efficiency. This can be very quick and may swimsuit Mercedes completely. Budapest, however, may current a way more beneficial situation for Ferrari.”
Whereas particular person circuits could proceed to favour completely different groups, Piola believes the larger image has modified significantly.
He considers Ferrari to be one of many groups that has improved essentially the most because the starting of the season, declaring that rival groups have more and more begun adopting technical ideas first launched by the Scuderia.
“This Ferrari has undoubtedly improved, and maybe it’s the crew that has made the best progress this season. What is especially satisfying is seeing a number of Ferrari improvements being copied by rival groups. I’m not referring solely to the FTM exhaust answer but additionally to different ideas, as McLaren has demonstrated right here. Ferrari has as soon as once more develop into a crew able to introducing authentic and progressive concepts.”
Barcelona carried better technical significance than Monaco
Piola additionally in contrast two of Ferrari’s most vital weekends of the season, arguing that whereas success in Monaco would have carried huge emotional significance, the victory achieved in Spain represented a way more significant technical milestone.
“Monaco would primarily have had psychological worth as a result of driver talent is such a decisive issue there. Barcelona, in contrast, is without doubt one of the finest circuits for evaluating whether or not a Formulation 1 automotive is genuinely aggressive. That’s the reason Ferrari’s victory in Spain carried far better technical significance.”
The championship battle stays vast open
Lastly, Piola turned his consideration to the 2026 Formulation 1 title combat. Though Mercedes has constructed a invaluable benefit thanks largely to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s excellent outcomes, he stays satisfied that neither championship has been determined.
“There’s nonetheless a protracted option to go on this championship. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has constructed a wonderful factors cushion and picked up an vital haul, however many issues can nonetheless occur earlier than the top of the season. Ferrari is genuinely closing the hole, and you may even sense it from Toto Wolff’s feedback and rising frustration. Every time these sorts of remarks start to seem, it normally means a rival is being seen as a real risk. It’s traditional Formulation 1 psychological warfare. Toto Wolff has a long-standing friendship with Fred Vasseur, however even the joke he made earlier this week exhibits that Mercedes now sees Ferrari as a critical competitor as soon as once more.”
Jul 10, 2026
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