Charles Leclerc
Scuderia Ferrari HP
Tops FP1 in Australia
Leclerc has set the pace during the first practice session of the 2026 season, the Ferrari driver going quickest from team mate Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Formula1.com reports.
ANALYSIS
A lot of anticipation over new cars and new regs were evident in this opening practice at the Albert Park Circuit. A number of offs and technical issues would mark this practice. However, it would soon become apparent that Ferrari has the early pace. Leclerc would set the fastest lap on a few occasions. By the end of this opening session he'd record a lap of 1:20.267 which would be four-tenths better than Hamilton and five-tenths faster than Verstappen. Leclerc looks like a strong contender for the win Sunday in Australia.
A lot of anticipation over new cars and new regs were evident in this opening practice at the Albert Park Circuit. A number of offs and technical issues would mark this practice. However, it would soon become apparent that Ferrari has the early pace. Leclerc would set the fastest lap on a few occasions. By the end of this opening session he'd record a lap of 1:20.267 which would be four-tenths better than Hamilton and five-tenths faster than Verstappen. Leclerc looks like a strong contender for the win Sunday in Australia.
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2023 Fantasy Outlook
Last season started full of promise for Leclerc and Ferrari. They brought home two victories and two runner-up finishes in the first five races. That was before everything went south. Ferrari suffered a major mid-season slump and outgoing team principal Mattia Binotto admitted the team gave up developing the 2022 car after just 12 races to focus fully on the 2023 machine. The single-lap pace was an eye opener, though. After Binotto says the team stopped development Leclerc still managed to score three more front row starts. Race pace and race strategy are where Leclerc needs his team's support to take one step forward from his second-place finish in the 2022 championship standings time. Frederic Vasseur, who Leclerc worked with at Sauber in the past, will take the helm from Binotto as Ferrari's team principal in 2023. That could be the key change Leclerc and Ferrari need to mount an even bigger challenge to Red Bull.
More Fantasy News
Fast Final Morning Test
Leclerc posted the fastest time as pre-season testing continued at the Bahrain International Circuit on Friday, slotting ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri in the morning session, Formula1.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Fast Morning Session in Bahrain
Leclerc posted the fastest lap time as pre-season testing resumed on Wednesday - the Ferrari driver leading the way from McLaren's Lando Norris and the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli, Formula1.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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Leads Day 2 in Bahrain
Leclerc topped the timesheets as the second day of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit came to a close - the Ferrari driver leading the way from McLaren's Lando Norris and Haas' Ollie Bearman, Formula1.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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P4 in Season Finale
Leclerc finished fourth in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 race at the Yas Marina Circuit on Sunday evening.
ANALYSIS
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No Pace at Lusail Circuit
Leclerc finished eighth the Qatar Grand Prix Formula 1 race at the Lusail International Circuit on Sunday.
ANALYSIS
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