Bahrain – The dawn of a new Formula 1 era is rarely met with universal acclaim, and 2026 is proving no different. While some drivers have voiced concerns about the radical changes to chassis and engine regulations, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is embracing the challenge, even if he admits the new cars aren’t the most enjoyable he’s ever driven.
The sweeping technical overhaul, designed to prioritize energy management and sustainable performance, has fundamentally altered the driving style required of F1 racers. Lift-and-coast techniques and strategic downshifting are now essential to harvest and conserve energy, significantly increasing the mental workload behind the wheel. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen has been particularly vocal in his criticism, branding the 2026 cars “anti-racing” and comparing them unfavorably to Formula E.
Leclerc, however, is taking a more measured approach. “It’s not the most fun I’ve had driving a car,” he conceded during pre-season testing in Bahrain. “But it’s the way it is. And I find the fun in a different way.”
That “different way” lies in the complex development process of the new systems. Leclerc finds satisfaction in tackling the engineering puzzle presented by the new regulations, exploring solutions that wouldn’t have been viable in previous seasons. “I think the challenge of really developing this whole new system is, in itself, something that I’ve enjoyed, and something that I find very interesting,” he explained. “It’s cool to be able to think a bit outside the box, and to try and find other ways in trying to maximise the performance of the car.”
Despite the increased complexity, Leclerc has identified one aspect of the 2026 cars that he genuinely appreciates: the reduced weight. The lighter chassis has resulted in a more agile and responsive machine, allowing him to better exploit his preferred driving style. “The weight, you can definitely feel it,” he noted. “The car is a little bit more alive, and the balance, you can play with the car a lot more and you can have a very snappy rear. Last year, I remember, with the weight it was a little bit more difficult to manage that. I’ve always liked oversteery cars, but with these cars, I feel like you can go a bit more extreme with them.”
However, Leclerc acknowledges that the new regulations present significant challenges, particularly when it comes to overtaking. The removal of the Drag Reduction System (DRS) and its replacement with an energy-based overtake mode means that passing now carries a substantial strategic cost. “I find it at the moment extremely difficult to get any overtakes,” he admitted. “But it might improve with time in how we manage these kind of situations – but it always comes with a price whenever you’ve got to overtake, and the price is a lot more costly than it was in the past. That’s why I think it’s very difficult to make an overtake and then pull away like it was the case last year.”
The increased focus on energy management is a key factor in this difficulty. Drivers must now carefully consider the energy expenditure required to execute an overtake, balancing the need for speed with the risk of depleting their energy reserves. This strategic layer adds a new dimension to racing, but it also raises concerns about the potential for processional races with limited overtaking opportunities.
Leclerc also anticipates a degree of chaos at the start of races, particularly as teams and drivers grapple with the intricacies of the new power units. The removal of the Motor Generator Heat Energy Recovery System (MGU-H) has complicated the process of finding the optimal operational window at the race start, potentially leading to unpredictable outcomes. “I expect some chaos,” Leclerc said. “Overtaking is going to be a big challenge. There are still many question marks. The start is one of those as well. We are working a lot on that, just like everybody is, but it’s one of those very critical moments of a race, and there might be some surprising things in the first start of the season.”
Leclerc’s perspective reflects a pragmatic acceptance of the new reality in Formula 1. While he acknowledges that the 2026 cars may not offer the same visceral thrill as their predecessors, he is determined to find enjoyment in the intellectual challenge of mastering the new technology and pushing the boundaries of performance within the constraints of the regulations. As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Leclerc’s optimistic outlook will be shared by the rest of the grid, or whether the “chaos” of the new era will prove to be a detriment to the spectacle of Formula 1 racing.
