P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc believes “enemy hands” will be at work at “critical” moments.
Charles Leclerc has pointed out the risk of “enemy hands” interfering with F1 drivers during crucial moments in races, despite extensive preparations through simulations and tests. Drivers are facing challenges adapting to the new car generation, focusing on energy management and race starts with just three days of testing left. The 50-50 split in power output between the combustion engine and batteries requires drivers to be cautious in managing energy levels, especially during race starts. Manual turbo spool-up for around 10 seconds aims to reduce lag but poses risks of engine over-revving and excess system charging. Leclerc anticipates potential chaos and difficulties in overtaking in the initial races, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of races where drivers are somewhat at the mercy of their competitors. He stresses the critical importance of mastering race starts, acknowledging the uncertainty and surprises that may unfold in the first races of the season.
