Leclerc cautious as Ferrari aims to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull in Mexico

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Charles Leclerc arrives at the Mexico City Grand Prix hopeful but cautious, acknowledging Ferrari’s potential while emphasizing the need for perfection to overcome Mercedes and Red Bull. Despite recent podium finishes in Singapore and Austin, Leclerc remains uncertain about Ferrari’s status as the outright favorite, citing the SF-26’s sensitivity and the challenge of optimizing its performance window.

Leclerc highlighted that Ferrari’s car performs strongly when within its ideal operating conditions but struggles once temperatures drop or the setup deviates. This sensitivity cost the team a front-row start in Austin, where fluctuating track temperatures affected qualifying performance. “We’ve got a strong car, but it’s very sensitive whenever we get off the optimum window,” Leclerc said, adding that the team is focused on addressing this limitation but is unsure if a short-term fix is possible.

Mercedes driver George Russell pointed to Ferrari’s smaller turbocharger as a key advantage at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a circuit uniquely situated over 2,200 meters above sea level. The thinner air reduces downforce and places extra strain on turbochargers, making turbo lag a significant factor. Russell believes Ferrari’s turbo setup could give them an edge in Mexico, though he cautioned that the conditions will be challenging for all teams.

Lewis Hamilton, now with Ferrari, described the remaining races of the season as “test races” focused on development and refinement. He stressed that while Ferrari has made progress, the power unit remains the primary area needing improvement to compete consistently with Mercedes and Red Bull. Hamilton praised the team’s reliability but noted that matching rivals’ engine power is essential for championship contention. He also emphasized the importance of expanding the car’s performance window to reduce sensitivity and improve consistency.

Leclerc echoed the need for flawless execution in Mexico, where optimizing the package for qualifying and race conditions will be crucial. With only one victory so far this season and no pole positions, Ferrari’s challenge is clear: to convert potential into consistent top results. The Mexico City Grand Prix will test whether Ferrari can harness their momentum and overcome the technical hurdles that have hampered their qualifying pace.

As the teams prepare for the high-altitude race, the battle for second place in the Constructors’ Championship intensifies, with Ferrari aiming to hold off Red Bull’s recent surge. The outcome in Mexico will offer insights into Ferrari’s progress and their readiness to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull in the closing stages of the 2026 season.