Leclerc echoes Hamilton's comments after Ferrari's F1 car launch

11:05, 25 Jan

Updated: 12:25, 25 Jan

byOlly Darcy

Charles Leclerc emulated Lewis Hamilton's excitement after his first miles behind the wheel of the SF-26, calling the moment a "very special feeling".

"It is a big challenge, but that’s something that excites me."

- Charles Leclerc

The Scuderia unveiled its 2026 challenger to the world, and it was then taken to the Fiorano track for a shakedown by both drivers.

The Italian team will hope for significant improvement in 2026 after failing to win a Grand Prix in 2025, marking their first winless season since 2021.

But after the launch at the Fiorano track, Leclerc was buoyed by some confidence after getting behind the wheel of this 2026 challenger.

Charles Leclerc finished P5 at the end of the 2025 season, scoring 242 points - Photo: Race Pictures

“I was very excited, because there’s been so much talk and so much work behind the scenes in order to get to that moment ready and so that the car could go around the track normally, and check for the first time the real sensors on the car to see whether it was doing the things that we expected,” the Monegasque explained to F1.

“It’s been a very exciting moment, especially because being in Fiorano, there’s a lot of Tifosi all around the track, and that adds to that very special feeling.

“We kind of have to relearn most of the programmes, we’ve got to understand the system a lot better in order to make the most out of it.

“This makes it a big challenge, but that’s something that excites me. With all the work that has been behind the scenes, I was just really keen to finally drive it in reality and see how it felt, so it was very exciting.”

Hamilton 'excited for new beginnings'

Along with Leclerc, Hamilton also got the chance to get behind the wheel of the SF-26 for the first time, and there was "massive excitement" coming from the seven-time World Champion.

"I think that's okay to say that. I'm excited for new beginnings. It's been such a focus on resetting, having a good break, even though it was the shortest one we've ever had. I would say it was just what was needed."

While the fun in Fiorano was just a shakedown, Ferrari will see the first important milestone take place as they take to the track for the first winter test of the season in Barcelona.

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