Charles Leclerc | F1 News

🇦🇿 A reminder that the Azerbaijan Grand Prix will follow an unusual format this year, with all on-track sessions taking place from Thursday to Saturday.

⏱ The schedule has been brought forward by one day as September 27 is Remembrance Day in Azerbaijan, dedicated to commemorating military personnel who lost their lives during the Second Karabakh War.
#AzerbaijanGP26
@charlesleclerc

🇧🇭 Preparations are well underway at the Sepang International Circuit ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will take place in Malaysia from October 2–4.

F1 photographer Kym Illman shared photos from a follower showing the ongoing work at the circuit. Officially, the upgrade and repair programme is already around 80% complete.

More photos in the comments.
#BahrainGP26
@charlesleclerc

🇫🇷 Today, September 17, Esteban Ocon turns 30. The French driver, currently racing for Haas, has been part of the Formula 1 grid since 2016.

🇫🇷 Ocon made his F1 debut with Manor at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix. His career includes a memorable maiden victory at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, along with three further podium finishes.

🏆 Career Statistics & Results:
• Debut Season: 2016
• Total Grands Prix: 194
• Race Wins: 1
• Podium Finishes: 4
• Total Points: 486

#achievements
@charlesleclerc

⚡️ Formula 1 has unveiled the 2027 calendar, featuring 24 race weekends across the season.

🇲🇨 One of the most notable changes is the Monaco Grand Prix, which is reportedly set to host a Sprint for the first time.

#important
@charlesleclerc

🇪🇸 Following a processional F1 debut, Madring is set for revisions aimed at improving overtaking opportunities. The Race reports that changes are planned for three sections of the circuit.

— Turns 5–6: The approach to the chicane could be widened and altered. Its current curved entry and kerbing make it difficult for two cars to run side-by-side, so the changes are intended to create a more viable overtaking opportunity.

— Turn 13: The left-hander immediately after La Monumental could be tightened. The aim is to introduce heavier braking and give drivers a better chance to attack after gaining a tow through the banked section.

— Turn 20: The track could be widened around the tight corner, with changes to the entry and barrier alignment designed to make passing attempts more feasible.

The revisions had already been proposed to the FIA before the inaugural race but were postponed until 2027 due to simulation, homologation and construction complexities.
#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

📉 The latest race at the Madring produced the fewest overtakes of the 2026 season so far, with just four overtaking moves recorded.

📊 We have put together an approximate overtaking statistics breakdown for every race this season, ranked from the fewest overtakes to the most.

The numbers highlight just how differently each circuit can shape the racing — from the tight streets of Monaco and Madrid to the much more action-packed races in Miami and Shanghai.
@charlesleclerc

🇦🇿 Azerbaijan Grand Prix up next

🇦🇿 Circuit: Baku City Circuit, Baku
🗓 September 24–26

👑 2025 Podium:
🥇 Max Verstappen
🥈 George Russell
🥉 Carlos Sainz

#AzerbaijanGP26
@charlesleclerc

🏎 Driver and team positions on the leaderboard after the Spanish Grand Prix

👑 Driver Standings:

1 🏎 Andrea Kimi Antonelli
2 🏎 George Russell
3 🏎 Lewis Hamilton
4 🏎 Lando Norris
5 🏎 Charles Leclerc
6 🏎 Max Verstappen
7 🏎 Oscar Piastri
8 🏎 Isack Hadjar
9 🏎 Liam Lawson
10 🏎 Pierre Gasly
11 🏎 Arvid Lindblad
12 🏎 Franco Colapinto
13 🏎 Oliver Bearman
14 🏎 Gabriel Bortoleto
15 🏎 Nico Hülkenberg
16 🏎 Carlos Sainz
17 🏎 Alexander Albon
18 🏎 Esteban Ocon
19 🏎 Fernando Alonso
20 🏎 Yuki Tsunoda
21 🏎 Valtteri Bottas
22 🏎 Sergio Pérez
23 🏎 Lance Stroll

🏆 Constructor Cup:

1 🇩🇪 Mercedes
2 🇮🇹 Ferrari
3 🇬🇧 McLaren
4 🇦🇹 Red Bull
5 🇮🇹 Racing Bulls
6 🇫🇷 Alpine
7 🇺🇸 Haas
8 🇩🇪 Audi
9 🇺🇸 Williams
10 🇬🇧 Aston Martin
11 🇺🇸 Cadillac

#Leaderboard #SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

KIMI ANTONELLI WINS THE 2026 SPANISH GRAND PRIX!

A brilliant performance from Antonelli and the Mercedes team.

Provisional finishing order:

1 🇩🇪 Kimi Antonelli
2 🇦🇹 Max Verstappen
3 🇬🇧 Lando Norris
4 🇮🇹 Charles Leclerc
5 🇩🇪 George Russell
6 🇦🇹 Liam Lawson
7 🇫🇷 Franco Colapinto
8 🇬🇧 Oscar Piastri
9 🇮🇹 Arvid Linbland
10 🇩🇪 Nico Hülkenberg

11 🇺🇸 Esteban Ocon
12 🇫🇷 Pierre Gasly
13 🇩🇪 Gabriel Bortoleto
14 🇮🇹 Yuki Tsunoda
15 🇺🇸 Alex Albon
16 🇺🇸 Oliver Bearman
17 🇬🇧 Fernando Alonso
18 🇺🇸 Valtteri Bottas
19 🇺🇸 Carlos Sainz (OUT)
20 🇺🇸 Sergio Perez (OUT)

21 🇬🇧 Lance Stroll (OUT)
22 🇮🇹 Lewis Hamilton (OUT)

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

🇪🇸 The Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid gets underway in less than 10 minutes.

📌 Final starting grid:

1 🇬🇧 Lando Norris
2 🇩🇪 Kimi Antonelli
3 🇦🇹 Max Verstappen
4 🇮🇹 Lewis Hamilton
5 🇮🇹 Charles Leclerc
6 🇩🇪 George Russell
7 🇬🇧 Oscar Piastri
8 🇦🇹 Liam Lawson
9 🇫🇷 Franco Colapinto
10 🇮🇹 Arvid Linbland
11 🇩🇪 Nico Hülkenberg
12 🇩🇪 Gabriel Bortoleto
13 🇺🇸 Esteban Ocon
14 🇫🇷 Pierre Gasly
15 🇮🇹 Yuki Tsunoda
16 🇺🇸 Alex Albon
17 🇬🇧 Fernando Alonso
18 🇺🇸 Sergio Perez
19 🇺🇸 Valtteri Bottas
20 🇺🇸 Carlos Sainz
21 🇬🇧 Lance Stroll
PIT 🇺🇸 Oliver Bearman

This post will be updated throughout the race with the most notable developments as they unfold.

🏳️ UPD1: The race is underway.
🏳️ UPD2: A brief yellow flag at the start of the race.
🏳️ UPD3: A brief yellow flag. Lewis Hamilton reports a lack of brakes.
🛞 UPD4: Lewis Hamilton retires from the race.
🏳️ UPD5: Yellow flag. Lance Stroll has lost his brakes.
🚘 UPD6: The Virtual Safety Car is deployed following Lance Stroll’s incident.
🏳️ UPD7: Green flag.
🛞 UPD8: Lance Stroll is out of the race.
❗️ UPD9: Carlos Sainz receives a 5-second penalty for the incident involving Fernando Alonso.
🛞 UPD10: Sergio Pérez retires from the race.
🛞 UPD11: Carlos Sainz retires from the race.

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

Today’s starting grid has undergone some changes.

🇪🇸 Carlos Sainz will drop three places for race after receiving a penalty for impeding Valtteri Bottas in Q1.

🇬🇧 Oliver Bearman will start from the pit lane following a change to his car’s engine electrical components.

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

🎉 LANDO NORRIS TAKES POLE POSITION AT THE INAUGURAL MADRING

An excellent qualifying result that could prove decisive in tomorrow’s race, where track position is expected to be crucial.

🏎 Provisional starting grid for tomorrow’s race:

1 🇬🇧 Lando Norris
2 🇩🇪 Kimi Antonelli
3 🇦🇹 Max Verstappen
4 🇮🇹 Lewis Hamilton
5 🇮🇹 Charles Leclerc
6 🇩🇪 George Russell
7 🇬🇧 Oscar Piastri
8 🇦🇹 Liam Lawson
9 🇫🇷 Franco Colapinto
10 🇮🇹 Arvid Lindblad

11 🇩🇪 Nico Hulkenberg
12 🇩🇪 Gabriel Bortoleto
13 🇫🇷 Pierre Gasly
14 🇮🇹 Yuki Tsunoda
15 🇺🇸 Esteban Ocon
16 🇺🇸 Alexander Albon
17 🇺🇸 Carlos Sainz
18 🇬🇧 Fernando Alonso
19 🇺🇸 Sergio Perez
20 🇺🇸 Valtteri Bottas

21 🇺🇸 Oliver Bearman
22 🇬🇧 Lance Stroll

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

🚨 Just 10 minutes to go until qualifying for the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.

We’ll keep this post updated after each qualifying session and throughout the session with all the key moments and notable developments.

3️⃣ Q3 Results:

1 🇬🇧 Lando Norris
2 🇩🇪 Kimi Antonelli
3 🇦🇹 Max Verstappen
4 🇮🇹 Lewis Hamilton
5 🇮🇹 Charles Leclerc
6 🇩🇪 George Russell
7 🇬🇧 Oscar Piastri
8 🇦🇹 Liam Lawson
9 🇫🇷 Franco Colapinto
10 🇮🇹 Arvid Lindblad

2️⃣ Out in Q2:

11 🇩🇪 Nico Hulkenberg
12 🇩🇪 Gabriel Bortoleto
13 🇫🇷 Pierre Gasly
14 🇮🇹 Yuki Tsunoda
15 🇺🇸 Esteban Ocon
16 🇺🇸 Alexander Albon

1️⃣ Out in Q1:

17 🇺🇸 Carlos Sainz
18 🇬🇧 Fernando Alonso
19 🇺🇸 Sergio Perez
20 🇺🇸 Valtteri Bottas
21 🇺🇸 Oliver Bearman
22 🇬🇧 Lance Stroll

🏳️ UPD 1: Q1 has already begun
🇬🇧 UPD 2: Oliver Bearman will not take part in qualifying, as his car could not be repaired in time.
🏳 UPD 3: Q1 end
🏳️ UPD 4: Q2 has started
🏳️ UPD 5: Brief yellow flag.
🏳 UPD 6: Q2 end
🏳️ UPD 7: Q3 has started
🏳 UPD 8: Q3 end

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

🇪🇸 With overtaking expected to be extremely difficult around Madrid’s new circuit, Saturday’s qualifying session could prove decisive for the Spanish Grand Prix.

🇬🇧 George Russell:

“Overtaking in the long runs in FP2 was very difficult, so qualifying is going to be hugely important.”

🇪🇸 Fernando Alonso:

“It’s going to be difficult to overtake, and for us, almost impossible. Qualifying will be important. But with the walls so close and the possibility of red flags and safety cars, we need to stay focused and run our own race. If we finish and avoid the walls, that might be enough for a good result.”

#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc

🏳 FP3 is officially over.
Next up: qualifying.

Top 10 in FP3:

1 🇩🇪 Kimi Antonelli — 1:32.797
2 🇮🇹 Charles Leclerc — +0.166
3 🇬🇧 Oscar Piastri — +0.189
4 🇬🇧 Lando Norris — +0.236
5 🇦🇹 Max Verstappen — +0.375
6 🇩🇪 George Russell — +0.702
7 🇦🇹 Liam Lawson — +1.105
8 🇩🇪 Nico Hulkenberg — +1.136
9 🇮🇹 Lewis Hamilton — +1.487
10 🇩🇪 Gabriel Bortoleto — +1.491

Replay footage of the crashes is available in the comments of the previous post.
#SpanishGP26
@charlesleclerc