Otmar Szafnauer, former Alpine team principal, has advised Ferrari to allow Charles Leclerc to operate without external interference during a challenging period of the 2026 Formula 1 season. Szafnauer’s recommendation emphasizes support over formal interventions for the Monegasque driver.
Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, Szafnauer stated that Ferrari should ‘leave him alone’ rather than conduct a mid-season performance review. He clarified that he would not initiate a conversation but would ensure Leclerc felt supported.
Ferrari currently holds second place in the constructors’ standings with 307 points, trailing Mercedes by 72 points. The team’s performance in the 2026 season has seen Lewis Hamilton and Leclerc navigating an intense intra-team battle.
Hamilton, in his inaugural year with Ferrari, is second in the drivers’ championship with 169 points. He secured one victory at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix and has achieved four podium finishes this season.
Leclerc is positioned fourth in the drivers’ standings with 138 points. His season includes a victory at the British Grand Prix and three additional podiums.
Szafnauer observed that while Hamilton initially held a stronger advantage over Leclerc, the Monegasque driver has shown significant improvement in recent races. This suggests a narrowing performance gap between the two Ferrari drivers.
Rob Smedley, a former Ferrari race engineer, concurred with Szafnauer’s assessment. Smedley noted that this marks one of the rare occasions where Leclerc has faced a significant disadvantage against his teammate.
Smedley also highlighted that Leclerc expressed dissatisfaction with the car, particularly after modifications were made to the braking system. These changes reportedly left Leclerc feeling ‘disoriented’ or ‘slightly lost’.
Szafnauer’s advice underscores the importance of providing Leclerc with the necessary tools and a supportive environment to regain momentum, rather than adding further scrutiny to his performance.
Earlier this year, in June 2026, Charles Leclerc signed a new multi-year contract with Ferrari. This extension ensures his commitment to the Scuderia for the coming seasons, through at least the end of the 2028 season.
Leclerc commenced his journey with Ferrari in 2019, having progressed through their driver academy since 2016. He holds the record for the second-highest number of starts for the team, behind Michael Schumacher.
‘No. Leave him alone. I wouldn’t have a conversation, but I would help him feel supported,’ Szafnauer stated regarding managing Leclerc’s form.
