Charles Leclerc has asked his Ferrari team to continue to be "aggressive" in its approach to developing its cars as the Scuderia bids to end its long Formula 1 title drought. Ferrari remains the most successful team in the sport's history, but the most recent of its 16 constructors' titles came back in 2008, while Kimi Raikkonen remains their most recent drivers' champion from a year earlier.
Ferrari's Title Prospects
As of the summer break, they are positioned for a potential assault on both championships as they look to end a barren run stretching back almost 20 years. Lewis Hamilton is second in the drivers' standings, 50 points adrift of Kimi Antonelli and 31 clear of Leclerc, who is two places below.
It is understood, however, that Ferrari view the constructors' title as their most likely source of joy this year. They are 74 points behind pace-setters Mercedes with 12 rounds to go, but there is the potential for a larger points swing on any given race weekend given both a team's drivers contribute to the team's total.
Development Strategies Differ
Mercedes began the year with an obvious pace advantage over the rest of the field, mostly because of their powerful engines. Ferrari knew their power units were inferior but were confident they have built possibly the best chassis on the grid, and they made the most of it after an engine upgrade with a win in Barcelona for Hamilton and victory at Silverstone for Leclerc.
The two teams have also taken much different approaches to chassis and aerodynamic upgrades. Ferrari have been introducing new parts on a much more regular basis, opting for something of a 'little-and-often' approach, while Mercedes have made the decision to save some of their resources for later in the season.
Leclerc's Call for Aggression
Of course, on the outside we do not know how much budget cap money Ferrari still have left to play with between now and the end of the year for car development. But Leclerc seems to think there is still some cash left to burn as he called for his team to continue at the pace they have been bringing new parts at already.
The Monegasque said: "Upgrades are so much more significant than in the past, because it allows us to make such big steps forward, so it is going to be important that we stay on top of it, and keep being aggressive as we have been with the development programme."
Future Upgrades Planned
Ferrari's upgrades have all worked from the moment they put them on the car so far this year, and the Scuderia hopes that will remain the case after the summer break. More aerodynamic parts are indeed coming which the team plans to make the basis of its 2027 car, while another engine update is also on the way and is set to be introduced at the team's home race in Monza.
