Charles Leclerc has defended Ferrari’s strategic decision during the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix, stating he would replicate the approach if faced with the same circumstances. The Monegasque driver finished fourth at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on Sunday, September 13, following a prolonged stint on hard compound tyres.
Ferrari opted for an aggressive one-stop strategy, keeping Leclerc on his initial set of hard tyres for an extended period. The team aimed to capitalise on a potential safety car intervention or red flag, which could have provided a tactical advantage.
Leclerc remained on track until lap 48, only pitting for fresh tyres when George Russell, driving for Mercedes, had closed to within a pit-stop window. The anticipated safety car never materialised during the critical phase of the race.
Upon rejoining the circuit, Leclerc found himself in fourth position. With insufficient laps remaining, he was unable to advance further despite the newer tyres.
‘I genuinely believe we made the correct decision. If I had to race again, I would implement the exact same strategy,’ Leclerc stated. ‘Had I started on soft tyres and opted for a soft-hard strategy, I would have ultimately finished in P4 as well.’
The Ferrari driver acknowledged the reliance on external factors for the hard-soft strategy to succeed. ‘With the hard-soft strategy, I was hoping for a safety car at the opportune moment, but it never arrived,’ he added.
Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur supported the strategic call post-race. Vasseur indicated it was the most viable path to challenge for a victory, considering their starting position and the car’s pace relative to competitors at Marina Bay.
The 2026 Singapore Grand Prix was characterised by high tyre degradation across all compounds, making strategic gambles a key element for several teams. Mercedes, for instance, pursued a more conventional two-stop approach for Russell.
Leclerc’s fourth-place finish contributed points to Ferrari’s constructors’ championship campaign. The team continues to evaluate performance and strategy as the 2026 Formula 1 season progresses.
