No one likes being an “outsider”, but Charles Leclerc feels he is in that position.
Charles Leclerc considers himself an “outsider” on the F1 grid due to his stance on the engine rules, which he believes should not be “artificial.” F1 made adjustments to the engine regulations for the Miami GP to address concerns such as super-clipping and lift-and-coast techniques, allowing super-clipping up to 350kw and reducing energy from 8 MJ to 7 MJ. Critics, including Max Verstappen, labeled the initial rules as “anti-racing” and resembling “Formula E on steroids” or “Mario Kart,” prompting the changes. For the upcoming season, the balance between ICE power and electrical energy will shift to give more power generation responsibility to the ICE, a move Leclerc feels supports his outsider perspective. Despite feeling like an outsider, Leclerc expressed satisfaction with the current level of racing strategy, emphasizing that overtaking remains effective when battling with competitors who employ similar systems. Leclerc believes the focus should be on qualifying sessions, where the biggest impact is felt, acknowledging the strategic nature of modern Formula 1 despite changes in regulations.
