Leclerc Calls for More 'F1-Like' Qualifying in Current Cars

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has stated that the current generation of Formula 1 cars, while better for racing, still lacks the high-intensity, driver-skill-defining challenge that should characterize a qualifying lap, calling for changes to make the session feel more authentically "Formula 1-like." He acknowledges the FIA is aware of the issue and is working on potential solutions.

Why it matters:

Qualifying is a cornerstone of F1, designed to be the ultimate test of a driver's raw speed and car control over a single lap. If the format or car characteristics dilute that pure challenge, it risks diminishing one of the sport's most dramatic and skill-revealing elements. Leclerc's comments highlight an ongoing balancing act between creating cars that can race closely on Sunday and cars that are thrillingly demanding to drive on the limit on Saturday.

The details:

• Leclerc made his comments following the Chinese Grand Prix, reflecting on the characteristics of the ground-effect cars introduced in 2022.
• He praised the improved ability for wheel-to-wheel combat, noting it's "a little bit easier to go around the outside" compared to previous high-downforce generations.
• However, he pinpointed a specific shortfall: "I feel like there is something that we miss still... to make it a little bit more Formula 1-like in qualifying."
• The core of his critique implies the current cars may not require or reward the same extreme precision and commitment over a single lap as their predecessors, potentially making qualifying laps less distinct and dramatic.
• Leclerc confirmed that the sport's governing body is engaged on the topic, saying, "I know FIA is working on it and hopefully we'll find a solution for that."

What's next:

The FIA and F1's technical departments are in a constant cycle of evaluation and regulation adjustment. Leclerc's feedback, as a top driver from a leading team, adds significant weight to the conversation about the car's fundamental feel. While immediate changes are unlikely, his comments will feed into the ongoing development of future technical regulations, with the goal of preserving the sanctity of qualifying while maintaining the improved raceability that the new era of cars has delivered.