Charles Leclerc believes that Ferrari’s priority should be to secure second place in the constructors‘ championship this season, rather than focusing on gaining extra wind tunnel time for 2026 development. Speaking ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Leclerc highlighted the team’s determination to maximise their current performance despite the challenges linked to wind tunnel restrictions.
Wind Tunnel Restrictions Linked to Championship Positions
Since 2021, Formula 1 has implemented a system where wind tunnel allowance is scaled based on a team’s finish in the constructors‘ standings. Teams higher up the leaderboard receive fewer wind tunnel hours the following year due to the cost cap regulations. Ferrari currently holds second place at the summer break with 260 points, trailing significantly behind McLaren, who lead with 559 points. Meanwhile, Mercedes and Red Bull occupy third and fourth places respectively, posing a direct challenge to Ferrari’s pursuit of second.
Leclerc’s Perspective on Balancing Championship and Development
When asked whether securing better wind tunnel time or finishing higher in the standings is more important, Leclerc was clear about his priorities.
“I’m pretty sure it’s better to finish second than third,”
he said. He admitted that wind tunnel considerations do exist but are not the main focus during on-track performance.
“When we are on track, we just want to finish as high up as possible and then we’ll deal with whatever amount of hours in the wind tunnel we have. We want to target the highest possible,”
Leclerc explained.
Long-Term Goals Focused on Race Victories
Beyond the emphasis on constructors‘ championship position, Leclerc acknowledged Ferrari’s ultimate goal is to return to winning races quickly.
“Second place in the constructors’ is one of our targets, but the biggest target is to come back to winning races as soon as possible. Wherever we finish, we’ll work from there and see how many hours we have next year,”
he stated.
Assessing the Competition and Expectations for Upcoming Races
Leclerc also reflected on the current competitive landscape, noting that Red Bull shares some inconsistencies similar to Ferrari and Mercedes. However, McLaren’s consistent performance sets a clear benchmark.
“Red Bull is a little bit more up and down, a bit like us and Mercedes, but there’s one constant and that is McLaren. For now, I don’t think there’s any tracks where I go to and think we will be the favourite, but I hope I’ll be surprised,”
he added.
Looking Ahead to the Championship Fight
Ferrari’s focus on securing second place in the constructors‘ championship reflects their strategic intent to build momentum both for the current season and future development cycles. Securing a higher ranking not only positions the team better in the standings but also impacts the technical resources they will receive for next year’s car development under the cost cap and wind tunnel restrictions. As the season continues, Ferrari’s ability to fight closely against McLaren, Mercedes, and Red Bull will be crucial in shaping their 2025 and 2026 campaigns.