Full Breakdown
Charles Leclerc Revamps Ferrari Steering-Wheel Software Ahead of Mid-Season
7/9/2026, 8:10:39 PM
Leclerc’s First Major Steering-Wheel Software Overhaul
After winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Charles Leclerc introduced a comprehensive redesign of the software that runs his Ferrari steering wheel. This marks the first substantive modification to his display configuration since he joined Scuderia Ferrari in 2019.
Background: 2026 Technical Changes and Leclerc’s Long-Standing Layout
The 2026 technical regulations have altered the way electrical energy is managed, requiring drivers to lift off before the finish line to conserve power. While most teams retained a layout similar to the previous cycle, Leclerc chose the regulatory shift as an opportunity to rethink his interface. From 2019 through 2025 he used a clean, large-font display that contrasted with the densely packed screens preferred by former Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. His teammate Carlos Sainz adopted a comparable layout with only minor tweaks.
Key Figures and Their Preferences
- Charles Leclerc – driver seeking a more intuitive data arrangement.
- Sebastian Vettel / Kimi Raikkonen – historically favoured information-dense screens.
- Carlos Sainz – used a similar clean layout during his tenure.
- Lewis Hamilton – requested a layout close to his long-standing Mercedes design, adding only real-time MGU-K management.
Data-Driven Redesign of the Display
The new software reorganises on-screen information as follows:
- Left-hand side: speed, engine RPM, completed laps, remaining laps and brake balance placed in small boxes.
- Central area: tyre temperatures (shown against a reference value), brake temperatures, current gear and selected engine mode, the latter adjusted via a central rotary switch.
- Right-hand vertical sidebar: a bar that rises when the MGU-K deploys energy and descends, turning red, during harvest mode.
- Boost indicator: five small red dots that count down the seconds the driver may activate the electrical boost.
- Turbo readiness indicator: a percentage scale up to 100 % with a three-colour system (red, white, green) signalling when the turbo has reached optimal RPM for race starts.
Official Technical Choices by Ferrari
Ferrari introduced the turbo-readiness gauge to address the added complexity of spooling the turbo without an MGU-H and with the electric motor limited below 50 km/h. The vertical MGU-K bar and the five-dot boost counter were added to give Leclerc immediate feedback on energy deployment and recovery, aligning the car’s electronics with the new power-unit constraints. Leclerc has indicated that the overhaul is intended to optimise every aspect of his driving under the new regulations.
Impact on Performance and Race Starts
Ferrari’s electronic optimisation, combined with Leclerc’s refined software layout, contributed to the SF-26’s strong launch performance at Silverstone. The car’s ability to indicate turbo readiness and manage MGU-K activity helped secure one of the most effective starts of the season, reinforcing the driver’s confidence after weeks of set-up challenges.
What’s Next for Leclerc and Ferrari
With the new interface now in use, Leclerc will continue to adapt his driving style throughout the remaining 2026 races. Ongoing development of the steering-wheel software is expected as Ferrari refines its approach to the evolving technical regulations.
