Charles Leclerc revealed that during a challenging stretch earlier in the season, he briefly considered adopting Lewis Hamilton’s driving style to improve his performance. However, after careful analysis, the Ferrari driver decided to remain true to his own approach, which contributed to a strong qualifying showing at Silverstone.
Leclerc secured second place in the qualifying session behind polesitter Kimi Antonelli, with Hamilton qualifying third. This result marked a notable improvement for Leclerc following difficult weekends in Monaco, Barcelona, and Austria. The Ferrari driver attributed his turnaround to detailed data analysis and adapting the car setup to better suit his style rather than changing his driving technique.
The context of this development came during the 2026 British Grand Prix weekend, where both Ferrari and Mercedes were closely matched. Hamilton faced challenges with car balance and braking compared to Friday’s sessions, which affected his qualifying pace. Despite this, he acknowledged Mercedes’ overall speed advantage and expressed that beating Antonelli in the race would be difficult, though strategy and teamwork might play a role.
Leclerc’s decision to focus on his own driving style rather than emulating Hamilton reflects a thoughtful approach to overcoming recent difficulties. He worked extensively with his team to understand the reasons behind his struggles and to adjust the car accordingly. This methodical process helped him regain confidence and deliver a solid qualifying performance at a demanding circuit like Silverstone.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s comments after qualifying highlighted the competitive nature of the weekend. Although he faced some issues with the car’s balance and braking, he remained realistic about Mercedes’ prospects, emphasizing the challenge posed by Antonelli’s pace. The British driver’s assessment suggested that while outright speed might be limited, tactical decisions could influence the race outcome.
Leclerc expressed hope to maintain his improved form during the race and to continue learning from the weekend’s experiences regardless of the final result. His reflections underline the importance of adapting to the car’s characteristics while staying consistent with one’s natural driving style in the highly competitive environment of Formula 1®.
