F1: Leclerc’s future stays unsure as Todt urges warning after Bahrain assessments
Ferrari’s 2026 venture was broadly described as decisive not just for the crew’s aggressive ambitions, but additionally for the long-term way forward for Charles Leclerc in pink. For that purpose, the phrases of his supervisor, Nicholas Todt, carry explicit weight at this stage of the season.
Talking to Canal+ throughout Components 1 testing in Bahrain, Nicholas Todt didn’t handle the motive force market straight. Nonetheless, he did analyze Ferrari’s present state of affairs and the early efficiency of the brand new SF-26 on observe. The French supervisor confirmed measured optimism — no overexcitement, however no alarm bells both. “Testing goes fairly properly. It’s very tough to get a transparent image as a result of we don’t understand how the others are performing. We’re doing quite a lot of laps, in order that’s fairly encouraging.”
Nicholas Todt discusses Leclerc’s future with Ferrari
One of many key elements highlighted was mileage. In a season marked by main regulatory adjustments, finishing as many laps as doable is essential to understanding a brand-new automobile. Nicholas Todt additionally commented on Leclerc’s mindset heading into the brand new marketing campaign. “Charles has a optimistic angle, he’s glad to be again behind the wheel and he can’t wait to be in Melbourne, regardless that we don’t know the place we stand in comparison with the others.”
In keeping with Nicholas Todt, the environment inside Ferrari can also be encouraging. “Persons are optimistic, optimistic, they’re working properly collectively.” Nonetheless, he warned towards leaping to conclusions too quickly. “It’s true that I’ve the impression that this yr Ferrari has tried many issues and tried to innovate. However that doesn’t imply something.” The message is evident.
An revolutionary automobile doesn’t mechanically translate into profitable efficiency. “We are able to see that Aston Martin is struggling regardless of the automobile trying revolutionary,” he added, mentioning how appearances in Components 1 could be deceptive.
He concluded with a notice of confidence, however with out daring predictions. “In any case, we’re assured and glad to be right here.”
Nicholas Todt’s feedback precisely mirror Ferrari’s present place. The crew is working intensely on improvement. Charles Leclerc seems motivated and centered. But nobody is making agency commitments concerning the aggressive hierarchy or about what lies forward.
The primary actual solutions will are available Melbourne, when the brand new period actually begins beneath race situations. Solely then will it change into clear whether or not the 2026 season might be tightly contested or whether or not one crew will pull forward early. And with that, the dialogue about Charles Leclerc’s long-term future at Ferrari will inevitably begin to take clearer form.
Subsequently, whereas Nicolas Todt has expressed encouragement concerning Ferrari’s excessive mileage and revolutionary method in Bahrain, he stays life like concerning the 2026 aggressive hierarchy, suggesting that Charles Leclerc’s future with the Scuderia will rely closely on the automobile’s precise efficiency as soon as the racing begins in Australia.
Feb 20, 2026
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