Charles Leclerc anticipates a challenging weekend for Ferrari at the 2026 Austrian Grand Prix following a difficult Friday of practice sessions. The team faced notable struggles, particularly in terms of cornering and straight-line speed, which left them behind their main rivals.
During the first practice session, Leclerc sat out to allow rookie Dino Beganovic to gain experience in the SF-26. Leclerc returned for the second session, completing 35 laps and finishing eighth, the highest lap count among the drivers. Meanwhile, Mercedes showed strong pace, with Kimi Antonelli topping both sessions and Lewis Hamilton securing fifth place in each.
Leclerc described Friday as “particularly difficult” for Ferrari, highlighting the car’s lack of competitiveness in key areas. Team Principal Frederic Vasseur noted that while the power unit update introduced this weekend represents a decent step forward, it does not offer a significant performance boost. He also pointed out that the specific conditions at the Red Bull Ring, including altitude and temperature, have not favoured Ferrari’s package.
Both Leclerc and Hamilton expressed dissatisfaction with the car’s current performance compared to Mercedes. The team is focusing on analysing the data collected during Friday’s sessions in hopes of improving the car’s balance and pace for the remaining weekend. Despite the upgrade to the power unit, Ferrari still faces a notable gap to their rivals, especially in straight-line speed.
Mercedes’ strong showing, led by championship leader Kimi Antonelli, underlines the competitive challenge Ferrari must overcome. The conditions at the Austrian circuit appear to suit Mercedes better, adding to Ferrari’s difficulties. Leclerc’s extensive running in Free Practice 2 was aimed at gathering as much information as possible to address these issues.
Ferrari’s approach remains cautious, with the team aiming to make the most of the available data to enhance their performance. While the power unit update is a step in the right direction, it is clear that further work is needed to close the gap to Mercedes. The weekend’s progress will depend on how effectively Ferrari can adapt to the track conditions and extract more from their car.
Friday’s sessions have set a clear context for the Austrian Grand Prix weekend, showing the areas where Ferrari needs to improve. The team’s focus on data analysis and incremental gains reflects the ongoing challenge they face in matching the pace of their rivals under the current conditions.
