Charles Leclerc hopes to end Lewis Hamilton’s 2026 Ferrari advantage in Japan after simulator test

Follow us on Google Discover

Charles Leclerc has been in Ferrari’s simulator ahead of the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix to work on his braking method, as Lewis Hamilton can make a difference in the SF-26.

Just one single point currently separates the Scuderia stars in the F1 drivers’ standings after the first two rounds in Australia and China. Leclerc boasts 34 points for third place ahead of Hamilton in fourth with 33 points, with the Shanghai Sprint currently making the difference.

Leclerc added to his third-place finish in the Australian Grand Prix with P3 in the F1 Sprint in Shanghai. But Hamilton scored his first podium with Ferrari in the Chinese Grand Prix with a P3 finish of his own, having won his on-track duel with Leclerc for the final rostrum position.

While Leclerc enjoyed his fight with Hamilton in the Chinese GP, the Monegasque is not that pleased with how he has adapted to the Ferrari SF-26 compared to the Briton. Hamilton also had more pace than Leclerc at the end of the Australian GP, but he failed to find a way past.

Charles Leclerc wants to improve his braking performance compared to Lewis Hamilton from the Japanese Grand Prix

Leclerc has identified the braking style required for the 2026 F1 regulations era of cars as an area where Hamilton has adjusted better. That is according to FormulaTecnica, which claims Leclerc has used the break since the Chinese GP to work on his braking in Ferrari’s simulator.

READ MORE: All to know about the Japanese Grand Prix, from Suzuka stats to past winners

Leclerc is eager to make a ‘qualitative leap’ from this weekend’s Japanese GP, as the braking style required in the 2026 F1 cars better suits Hamilton as they no longer need to try to find performance early under braking. Instead, braking early is required to recharge the battery.

Hamilton has not had the same issues as Leclerc has faced adapting to the requirements of braking early to recharge the battery. So, while Ferrari’s engineers believe Leclerc’s braking ability is his greatest strength, he has sought to find a way to change his approach in 2026.

This weekend’s Japanese GP will be the first test of what Leclerc has learned about how to brake in the 2026 F1 cars in Ferrari’s simulator in recent days. Suzuka could see yet another direct duel between the Scuderia stars for the final place on the podium behind Mercedes.

While the FIA have given Ferrari permission to use their Halo wing in Japan, having had to remove the small aerodynamic aid in China, the SF-26 does not yet have the same pace as the Mercedes W17 in qualifying or race conditions. So, P3 in Japan may be a Ferrari affair.

Ferrari intend to use their Macarena rear wing at the Japanese GP, as well, to try to get the SF-26 closer to the pace of the Mercedes W17. The Scuderia chose against running the rear wing at the Chinese GP due to concerns over its reliability, as well as causing balance issues.