Charles Leclerc delivers optimistic Ferrari verdict after strong 2026 progress

Charles Leclerc has shared his verdict on the progress of the Ferrari Formula 1 team, explaining that the Maranello outfit has "made good progress with the car".

The Monegasque driver currently sits third in the drivers' standings with 49 points behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

Ferrari has seen a jump in performance from 2025 to 2026 after the change in regulations. After finishing fourth in the constructors' standings last year, it currently sits second after the first three rounds of 2026.

"I think we made some good progress with the car," Leclerc said during an appearance on the BMST podcast. "I think we have a good car. At the moment, I'm enjoying it. I think the team's working very well with the updates. The engineers are doing a great job. And I'm enjoying driving it.

"I think we have the potential to be competitive. I think it's a car that allows me to express myself. I have the pace, the pace is there, it's me now, I have to maximise the opportunities, I have to be consistent, I have to not make mistakes, and I think if I do that I can be competitive."

While the 28-year-old is pleased with the progress made so far, he made sure to point out that fortunes can easily change over the course of a long F1 season.

"The championship is long, and things change, strategies change, fortunes change," he continued. "So I think it's important to focus on what you can control, which is your performance and your consistency. I think if you're consistent, you can be there at the end. So that's what I'm trying to do. 

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

"And I feel like I'm working very well with my engineer, I feel like we're on the same page, we're understanding each other very well, and that's key.

"Then on the car side, there's always room for improvement everywhere, but I think the car is competitive now.

"I'm happy. I'm really happy with how it's going. And then there's the focus on the championship, obviously. So we need to score points, be consistent, and try to be at the front. So that's the goal."

Asked if he could fight for the championship, the Ferrari driver added: "Yes, I think we can. I think if we have the pace, if we have the car and we execute well, then yes, we can fight for it.

"I'm optimistic. I think we have the tools to do it. I really believe in the team, and I think if we work well together, we can achieve something really good. So that's what I'm aiming for."