Final weekend’s British Grand Prix victory was nearly a second of reduction for , 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 nearly weighted by the troublesome weeks now behind him.
This has been the yr of a technical revolution, and adapting to the brand new rules has been something however easy, even for the drivers themselves. Approaching the mid‑season mark, the brand new guidelines proceed to impose driving dynamics that really feel nearly unnatural, corresponding to lifting off earlier than the end line to handle electrical energy, simply as did at Silverstone.
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It has been a season of adjustments, and in the case of Leclerc there may be one underlying subject that, whereas flying considerably below the radar, stays intriguing: his shift in strategy to the steering‑wheel software program. This marks a big revolution, as a result of from his first yr at till the tip of final season Leclerc had at all times stored the very same configuration, except for minimal changes.
The configuration, even again then, set him clearly aside from and from the motive force who preceded him in that seat, . Whereas the four-time world champion most well-liked having as a lot info as doable on the display in a extremely condensed structure, Leclerc had already opted in 2019 for a clear and fast show, that includes giant, simply readable and direct knowledge.
This was a structure the Monegasque maintained till the tip of 2025 and one which was additionally adopted by throughout his years at Maranello, with solely minimal tweaks to regulate the association of sure parts based on his preferences. In contrast to different groups, Ferrari grants its drivers a sure diploma of freedom to discover a resolution really tailor-made to their wants and preferences. has pushed to have a model just like the one he used for therefore a few years at Mercedes, additionally requesting adjustments to the steering wheel itself.
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Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program 2025 vs 2026
Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program 2025 vs 2026
But Leclerc’s case is especially attention-grabbing as a result of it represents his first really substantial modification since turning into a Scuderia driver in 2019. After all, one would possibly assume this was a necessity dictated by the brand new rules, however that isn’t precisely the case: most groups, except for minor changes, have maintained a really comparable structure to that of the earlier technical cycle, each when it comes to software program and the steering wheel itself.
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Unsurprisingly, Hamilton has additionally stored a steering wheel structure very near the one he used final yr with the outdated hybrid energy items, including only some parts corresponding to real-time administration of the MGU-Okay. In Leclerc’s case, nevertheless, the 2026 revolution appears to have been, above all, a possibility to transform his software program, which is now profoundly totally different from the previous.
A brand new knowledge structure and the MGU-Okay indicator
The primary main change issues the structure of the knowledge. Whereas till final yr the info was introduced in a transparent and extremely seen method, it has now been utterly reorganised: many parameters, corresponding to velocity, engine RPM, accomplished and remaining laps, or brake steadiness, have been moved to the left inside small bins.
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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 , Ferrari has additionally launched a vertical sidebar on the best facet of the display, which clearly exhibits the motive force how the MGU‑Okay is working. When the bar extends upwards, the MGU‑Okay is lively, deploying power to the system. When the bar strikes downwards and turns purple, corresponding to below braking or on the finish of straights throughout superclipping, the MGU‑Okay is in harvest mode, recovering power.
Leclerc softtware MGU-Okay utilization
Leclerc softtware MGU-Okay utilization
The system that signifies to the motive force how lengthy he can use the enhance (which permits him to assault or defend by briefly growing {the electrical} energy output) has additionally been modified. There are actually 5 small purple dots that assist the motive force observe how lengthy they will activate it, provided that the enhance tends to make use of a giant quantity of power in just some seconds.
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There’s a particular turbo indicator for race begins
It’s honest to say that the race begin additionally performed a decisive function 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 for the reason that Melbourne opener, crucially making certain constant efficiency in a section 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 turn into considerably extra complicated this yr. 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?
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Whereas every group has its personal technique, Ferrari makes use of a progressive indicator coded each with a proportion scale as much as 100% and a 3‑colour system (purple, white, and inexperienced, with inexperienced indicating that the turbo is prepared). It’s a easy function, however a vital one nonetheless, making certain the motive force at all times is aware of whether or not the system is within the appropriate vary forward of the launch, particularly given how very important this facet has turn into this yr.
Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program for a race begin
Leclerc’s new steering wheel software program for a race begin
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