Charles Leclerc reckons the brand new 2026 Method 1 vehicles don’t truly really feel “synthetic” regardless of a number of drivers strongly criticising the newest regulation overhaul.
Vehicles this yr are fully completely different than earlier than, with the chassis being nimbler and having much less downforce, whereas the facility unit is extra reliant on electrical vitality with a near-50:50 break up in opposition to the interior combustion engine.
This has induced a distinction in how the racing has appeared throughout the opening two rounds of 2026 – Australia and China – with extra wheel-to-wheel battles as a result of ‘yo-yo’ fashion nature.
Throughout Sunday’s Chinese language Grand Prix, for instance, a driver would typically make an overtake on the Flip 14 hairpin earlier than shedding place once more down the pit straight, with the battle then persevering with by way of the lap.
Max Verstappen actually isn’t a fan of this, claiming those that get pleasure from it ‘don’t perceive racing’, whereas the likes of Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon maintain comparable opinions.
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It’s the elevated reliance on battery administration that they don’t like, however those that have been preventing on the entrance, specifically drivers of Mercedes or Ferrari, have been supporters of the brand new regs.
“I get pleasure from it and it does not really feel so synthetic from contained in the automotive,” stated Ferrari’s Leclerc. “After all, you have bought these overtakes the place it is synthetic, every time somebody is doing a mistake with the battery and fully drains it after which, there is a huge pace distinction.
“However, I really feel like we’re all converging a bit bit in the direction of figuring out the place should not we go and the place can we attempt to take the chance and so, that creates very fascinating overtaking locations. I believe at present was the exhibiting of that.”
What Sunday did present was wheel-to-wheel battles by way of the Flip 6-9 advanced in Shanghai which hadn’t actually been witnessed earlier than. This included the fixed battle between Leclerc, his Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes man George Russell, who had been all always squabbling over positions second to fourth.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes
Picture by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Photographs
Though Leclerc was finally the one to complete off the rostrum, he has nonetheless left China with a optimistic feeling given he’s typically claimed it to be considered one of his tougher tracks.
“I actually loved it,” he stated. “I am unsure for those who ask the crew, they’ll reply the identical. However, I actually loved it.
“Actually, these vehicles for races, it is truly fairly enjoyable and yeah, it was only a cool race. On the finish of the day, Lewis was simply stronger and I am glad for his podium. I am, in fact, disenchanted for shedding out on the rostrum on my aspect, however I do know I’ve given all the pieces and on the finish of the day, Lewis was simply stronger this weekend.
“It was a particularly reasonable, laborious however truthful battle, which was good after which, there’s additionally numerous techniques from contained in the cockpit that’s actually cool. There was clearly this battle for who will get the overtake within the final nook and we each brake very early. And, the best way you deploy and handle the vitality, it was a enjoyable race.”
Though Leclerc is talking positively of the brand new laws, he nonetheless thinks qualifying ought to enhance as a result of it doesn’t reward drivers who’re absolutely on the restrict as a lot anymore.
“It is not these tremendous excessive downforce vehicles that we used to have previously,” he stated. “There are some issues that we, in fact, want to have a look at.
“To make it a bit bit extra Method 1-like in qualifying as a result of, I really feel like there’s one thing that we miss. However, I do know the FIA is engaged on it and hopefully, we’ll discover a answer for that.”
Leclerc’s fourth in Shanghai added to his third-placed consequence within the Melbourne opener, leaving him third within the championship and 17 factors off chief George Russell.
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