Leclerc questions Ferrari form shift as Szafnauer urges team to give him space
Charles Leclerc has said Ferrari’s recent improvement in form has been difficult to explain, with the SF-26 performing better than pre-race expectations suggested. Separately, former Alpine boss Otmar Szafnauer said Ferrari should avoid a formal mid-season meeting with Leclerc and let him work through a difficult spell alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Charles Leclerc has pointed to a confusing recent trend in Ferrari’s performance, saying the team’s improved form has gone against what was expected before races. The Ferrari driver is seeking an investigation into why the SF-26 has recently delivered stronger results than anticipated.
In a separate reaction to Leclerc’s situation, former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer said Ferrari management should not call the Monegasque driver in for a formal mid-season sit-down. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, Szafnauer said the team should leave Leclerc alone as he navigates a challenging period alongside Lewis Hamilton.
Szafnauer made those comments during a discussion that also featured former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley and host Jake Humphrey.
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