Leclerc minimizes the effect of the energy adjustment at Suzuka.
"I don’t believe it will significantly change the game"
Charles Leclerc does not foresee the recent adjustment to Formula 1’s qualifying regulations having a significant impact, amidst ongoing concerns regarding the 2026 rules. The FIA announced before practice at Suzuka that the maximum allowable energy recharge for qualifying has been decreased from 9 megajoules to 8, in an effort to curtail excessive lift-and-coast strategies. However, Leclerc feels that this adjustment will yield only a minor impact. "I don’t think it will be a game changer," stated the Ferrari driver. "I expect it will remain largely the same. Any improvement is beneficial, but further changes are required to enable us to maximize our performance in qualifying."
Following the Melbourne race, Leclerc expressed disappointment that the 2026 regulations had diminished one of his key strengths from previous regulations - qualifying speed. "At the beginning of the race weekends, the focus was more on managing various aspects rather than going full throttle like in the past," he remarked at Suzuka. "There’s much more to consider now. Therefore, I don’t believe this change will be a game changer."
Leclerc identifies the main issue as the lack of ability to drive at the limit. "Any solution that allows us to push to the maximum is beneficial in my view," he clarified. "That’s what I love about this sport. In Q3, you experience the utmost pressure to perform and to execute a lap that you haven’t yet accomplished."
"That’s currently not feasible," Leclerc added. "Whenever you attempt something new, the car struggles to adapt, which ultimately results in more losses than gains. That is the biggest challenge we face right now." While he recognizes the complexity of the situation, he mentions that discussions are continuing. "The solution is quite complex, but I know that everyone is brainstorming ideas to find the optimal resolution," Leclerc stated. "Hopefully, we will arrive at a satisfactory solution soon."
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