Leclerc changes to Hamilton's brakes following the incident in Monaco.

      "For now, we’ll be aligning our approach with Lewis."

      Charles Leclerc is set to adopt Lewis Hamilton's brake setup in Barcelona following the brake issues that marred Ferrari’s weekend in Monaco. Keen observers noticed Carbone Industrie brake discs on Leclerc’s car in the Barcelona garage, and Italy’s La Repubblica confirmed that the Monegasque will now utilize the same configuration as his teammate. "Charles Leclerc, like Lewis Hamilton, will use Carbone Industrie discs and Brembo calipers, following the brake troubles he experienced in Monte Carlo," reported the newspaper.

      This change comes after Leclerc's angry response to crashing out while in contention for a podium finish in Monaco, where he asserted, "I’m not going to take the f***ing blame." His comments prompted an unusual public reaction from Brembo, which expressed surprise at Leclerc’s criticisms and called for a comprehensive technical review before making any conclusions.

      Hamilton disclosed in Barcelona that he had already switched from Ferrari’s former brake configuration earlier in the season. "I changed my brakes in Japan. It was something I had requested for a long time," the seven-time world champion told Sky Italia. "Both Leclerc and I evaluated the option I’m competing with, but ultimately he didn’t want it right away, so we decided to pursue two different setups. Charles chose his own route and has now reconsidered, but that doesn’t affect me. My aim is to contribute insights that enhance the performance of the entire team, of which Charles is a part."

      Leclerc was noticeably calmer when responding to questions in Barcelona. "I don’t want to discuss it too much," he stated. "I rarely speak so swiftly about an issue, but when I do, it’s after thoroughly assessing the facts. I have done that, so there’s not much more to say."

      "I don’t anticipate any groundbreaking changes, but I do expect the car to be easier to handle in certain situations. Overall, I need stability in the car’s dynamics. That’s all I require." He also acknowledged that the team’s trial with different brake configurations had become increasingly challenging for him. "Some time back, the team and I decided to run cars with varying brake setups, and the past two weekends have proven to be more challenging than I initially expected. For now, we’ll be moving in the same direction as Lewis."

      Ferrari is hopeful that this switch will help its homegrown star regain his momentum, especially after Hamilton has showcased himself as the stronger performer for the team in recent races. The Briton attributes some of the progress to having more influence over the development direction of the 2026 Ferrari. "I feel I’ve transitioned from a season where I was driving a car I inherited, without any input, to one where I had a say," Hamilton remarked. "There were aspects I specifically requested, and the team responded, which makes me really pleased."

      The 41-year-old also commended team principal Frederic Vasseur. "Fred has been fantastic in collaborating with me and facilitating the changes I wanted, which in a way empowers you to perform at your best." Hamilton even hinted that Ferrari is beginning to regain its innovative spirit. "Last year, I was questioning myself and the team about our innovations," he noted. "Ferrari should be a leader in innovation, the team that others aspire to emulate, and this year we are starting to unveil innovative ideas that others are now following." "There are many more innovations on the horizon, which is incredibly exciting."