Leclerc Demands Bigger Ferrari Upgrade Package After Singapore Disappointment

Charles Leclerc had to settle for second place at the 2026 Singapore Grand Prix after failing to overtake Max Verstappen at the Marina Bay street circuit on Sunday (21/9/2026). The Ferrari driver is demanding his team bring a bigger upgrade package soon to close the performance deficit to Red Bull.

Starting from the front row, Leclerc immediately pressured Verstappen throughout the opening stint. However, high tyre degradation and a different pit strategy under the mid-race safety car left him short on grip in the closing laps. He finished right behind Verstappen, while Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed the podium in third.

Speaking to Jenson Button after the race, Leclerc broke down how a promising race turned into a tyre-management test. “We were quite strong early, then started losing performance in the first stint. We went with a slightly different strategy from Max under the safety car,” he said.

Rather than wait, Leclerc chose to attack from the restart, hoping track position or an undercut could force Verstappen into a mistake. “I believed until the end, but I pushed too hard at the start of the last stint and the tyres went off sooner. I gave everything and I don't regret it. There wasn't much more I could do today,” he added.

Despite finishing ahead of both Mercedes and McLaren cars, Leclerc refused to get carried away. When asked whether the Singapore result proved Ferrari had matched Red Bull, he gave a realistic answer. “I still feel we are behind. Yes, we brought some new parts that may help, but we still need to add performance to be at that level,” he said.

“I still feel we have a deficit. The new parts help, but they are not enough to fight Red Bull at every type of circuit.” — Charles Leclerc

Ferrari did show progress at low-speed street circuits like Marina Bay. However, Leclerc stressed that to compete at high-speed circuits that rely on front downforce, Maranello needs far bigger development. He hopes the team responds soon before the points gap in the constructors' standings widens.

With six races remaining, Ferrari is in a challenging but not yet secure position. Failure to deliver significant upgrades could end its constructors' title chances. Conversely, if Leclerc can perform consistently for the rest of the season, the pressure on Red Bull will grow. Will Ferrari listen to its driver's request and take a bold step in car development? Time keeps running, and every point will matter.