Ferrari star Charles Leclerc: This is why Formula 1 has become so tricky

Nothing is as it used to be: Formula 1 officials have spent a long time fine-tuning the new regulations, which have been in force since this year. And the main aim – to generate more overtaking manoeuvres and battles on the track – has indeed been achieved.

However, the new generation of GP cars is a real challenge. This is because the new power split between the internal combustion engine and electric power has not only changed the way drivers have to operate on the track; it also affects the work carried out outside the cockpit, as Charles Leclerc points out.

Too many variables

The Ferrari star says: “It all depends on the power units and their set-up. That’s what makes it so difficult to get these cars moving quickly – there are too many variables. And that’s why you can no longer simply analyse the data, as you used to, and say where you need to improve and how you need to adapt your driving style.”

And he stresses that changing one’s driving style does not necessarily lead to success. “If you simply adjust the way you drive, but the engine programming goes in the opposite direction, then things go even worse than before. So there are a great many factors you have to take into account. You have to approach it with a very open mind, and that’s been evident so far this season,” explains the Monegasque.

An aggressive driving style doesn’t necessarily lead to success

“At the start of the season, I felt really good in the car; I was driving very strongly. But in Monaco and Montreal, I really struggled with this car. And then we made quite a few changes, and things started to go a bit more my way again,” says the nine-time Grand Prix winner.

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“It’s not black and white; there’s no clear-cut right or wrong with these cars. There are too many unknowns, and it’s clearly become much harder to understand what’s going on if you’re slightly off the mark. So I wouldn’t say it’s simply a case of driving super-aggressively – at least, that doesn’t apply to our car. It might be the case with other cars,” added the current fourth-placed driver in the World Championship.