Leclerc targets ‘very special’ Monza weekend with ‘more power’ from new Ferrari engine

Charles Leclerc has echoed team mate Lewis Hamilton’s optimism over an engine upgrade that Ferrari will deploy at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza – expressing his hope of delivering another “very special weekend” in front of the Tifosi.

After an initial update in Austria earlier this season, Ferrari have made further changes to their power unit for the Italian Grand Prix, as part of the team’s 2026 ‘ADUO’ (Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities) allowance.

With Hamilton talking about the possibility of challenging for victory on Ferrari’s home soil earlier in the day, Leclerc shared similar ambitions when he faced the media – as he pushes to claim what would be third win in red at the famous Temple of Speed.

Asked about the engine update, and what he expects it to bring, Leclerc replied: “It will have a bit more power, which is always a good thing. How much more power? Only time will tell.

“I’ll do my best in order to have a very special weekend like in 2019 and 2024, which are probably the best memories I have in racing, together with [the win in] Monaco in 2024.

“But we are against very tough competition and the engine is definitely our weak part. To do a step forward will help us close a little bit the gap to the guys in front.”

However, Leclerc went on to highlight the “perfect execution” that will be required if Ferrari are to triumph for the third time this season – after Hamilton’s win in Barcelona and the Monegasque’s win at Silverstone.

“If there’s one track we can afford to maybe compromise a little bit Qualifying compared to the race, it’s this one,” he said. “However, our job is to make the car faster, and that will be beneficial for Qualifying and the race.

“On a track like this, we expect to have a bit of a harder time because it’s lots of straight lines and we know that this is a bit of a weak point compared to our competitors so far, but I’m still optimistic.

“Silverstone and Spa weren’t meant to be positive for us and we had a good weekend, but by having a perfect execution. We need to target that here.

“We have a new engine, we have new parts on the car, and I hope that helps us to put the others under a bit more pressure.”

As for how much energy he takes from racing in Ferrari’s backyard, Leclerc added: “Italy has always been very special for me. I kind of grew up here through my karting career, I was very much living with my mechanics here, and so I have a very special connection with Italy and the people.

“To be racing with Ferrari in Italy is already a special experience, but even more so for me. I just really hope we can convert all that positive excitement into a victory on Sunday.”