Charles Leclerc will run the Carbon Industrie brake set used by Lewis Hamilton in Friday practice at the Barcelona Grand Prix. The change follows a brake failure that left three of the four brakes on his SF‑26 non‑functional in Monaco, where he crashed out while running third. Leclerc blamed the malfunction, not driver error, and demanded a solution before the next race.

Ferrari identified the problem as a loss of hydraulic pressure to the rear calipers, rendering them ineffective. By swapping to Hamilton’s carbon‑based discs and pads, the team hopes to restore balanced braking and avoid another ‘nightmare’ lap. The test in FP1 will determine whether Leclerc sticks with the new set for qualifying and the race, could also shape development plans.

The switch also fuels the ongoing debate between Brembo and Carbon Industrie brake philosophies within F1. If Leclerc posts competitive lap times, Ferrari may adopt the configuration permanently, narrowing the gap to Hamilton who currently leads the championship. Either way, Barcelona will reveal whether the brake overhaul can salvage Leclerc’s form after a winless run since Japan, and restore confidence now.