Final weekend’s British Grand Prix victory was virtually a second of aid for Charles Leclerc, who had been in search of solutions to the set-up adjustments launched after the dash in an effort to regain the sensation he had misplaced with the SF‑26. It’s a win that carries a far deeper that means than his smile on the rostrum suggests, as his gaze settles on a trophy virtually weighted by the tough weeks now behind him.
This has been the 12 months of a technical revolution, and adapting to the brand new rules has been something however simple, even for the drivers themselves. Approaching the mid‑season mark, the brand new guidelines proceed to impose driving dynamics that really feel virtually unnatural, corresponding to lifting off earlier than the end line to handle electrical energy, simply as Mercedes did at Silverstone.
It has been a season of adjustments, and relating to Leclerc there’s one underlying matter that, whereas flying considerably underneath the radar, stays intriguing: his shift in strategy to the steering‑wheel software program. This marks a major revolution, as a result of from his first 12 months at Ferrari till the tip of final season Leclerc had all the time saved the very same configuration, other than minimal changes.
The configuration, even again then, set him clearly aside from Sebastian Vettel and from the motive force who preceded him in that seat, Kimi Raikkonen. Whereas the four-time world champion most popular having as a lot data as potential on the display screen in a extremely condensed format, Leclerc had already opted in 2019 for a clear and rapid show, that includes giant, simply readable and direct information.
This was a format the Monegasque maintained till the tip of 2025 and one which was additionally adopted by Carlos Sainz throughout his years at Maranello, with solely minimal tweaks to regulate the association of sure parts in line with his preferences. In contrast to different groups, Ferrari grants its drivers a sure diploma of freedom to discover a resolution actually tailor-made to their wants and preferences. Lewis Hamilton has pushed to have a model much like the one he used for therefore a few years at Mercedes, additionally requesting adjustments to the steering wheel itself.
Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program 2025 vs 2026
Photograph by: Motorsport.com
But Leclerc’s case is especially fascinating as a result of it represents his first actually substantial modification since turning into a Scuderia driver in 2019. In fact, one may assume this was a necessity dictated by the brand new rules, however that isn’t precisely the case: most groups, other than minor changes, have maintained a really comparable format to that of the earlier technical cycle, each when it comes to software program and the steering wheel itself.
Unsurprisingly, Hamilton has additionally saved a steering wheel format very near the one he used final 12 months with the previous hybrid energy items, including just a few parts corresponding to real-time administration of the MGU-Ok. In Leclerc’s case, nevertheless, the 2026 revolution appears to have been, above all, a possibility to remodel his software program, which is now profoundly totally different from the previous.
A brand new information format and the MGU-Ok indicator
The primary main change issues the format of the data. Whereas till final 12 months the information was offered in a transparent and extremely seen method, it has now been fully reorganised: many parameters, corresponding to velocity, engine RPM, accomplished and remaining laps, or brake stability, have been moved to the left inside small packing containers.
This rearrangement has freed up area within the centre for tyre temperatures (proven in comparison with a reference worth) and brake temperatures, which till the tip of final season have been accessible utilizing buttons in a secondary web page, whereas additionally prominently displaying the present gear and chosen engine mode, adjustable through the central rotary swap on the steering wheel. For 2026, nevertheless, there are two different extremely intriguing additions.
As Motorsport.com highlighted in the beginning of 2026 when trying on the McLaren’s steering wheel, Ferrari has additionally launched a vertical sidebar on the appropriate facet of the display screen, which clearly exhibits the motive force how the MGU‑Ok is working. When the bar extends upwards, the MGU‑Ok is energetic, deploying vitality to the system. When the bar strikes downwards and turns crimson, corresponding to underneath braking or on the finish of straights throughout superclipping, the MGU‑Ok is in harvest mode, recovering vitality.
Leclerc softtware MGU-Ok utilization
Photograph by: Motorsport.com
The system that signifies to the motive force how lengthy he can use the increase (which permits him to assault or defend by briefly rising {the electrical} energy output) has additionally been modified. There at the moment are 5 small crimson dots that assist the motive force monitor how lengthy they’ll activate it, provided that the increase tends to make use of an enormous quantity of vitality in only a few seconds.
There’s a particular turbo indicator for race begins
It’s honest to say that the race begin additionally performed a decisive position within the Silverstone victory. Ferrari’s technical decisions and the optimisation of its electronics have made the SF‑26 probably the most efficient automobiles off the road because the Melbourne opener, crucially guaranteeing constant efficiency in a part the place many rivals have struggled.
With out the help of the MGU‑H and with the electrical motor restricted from deploying under 50 km/h, spooling the turbo and bringing it into its correct RPM vary has grow to be considerably extra advanced this 12 months. To extend security and assist these producers struggling on this entrance. However how do drivers know when the turbo is prepared and has reached its optimum operational RPM vary?
Whereas every group has its personal methodology, Ferrari makes use of a progressive indicator coded each with a proportion scale as much as 100% and a 3‑shade system (crimson, white, and inexperienced, with inexperienced indicating that the turbo is prepared). It’s a easy characteristic, however a vital one nonetheless, guaranteeing the motive force all the time is aware of whether or not the system is within the appropriate vary forward of the launch, particularly given how important this side has grow to be this 12 months.
Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program for a race begin
Photograph by: Motorsport.com
We wish your opinion!
What would you prefer to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Crew
