Leclerc warns overtaking is 'extremely difficult' with new F1 cars
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc states overtaking is now 'extremely difficult' with F1's new cars, as the performance cost to pass is much higher. McLaren's Andrea Stella confirms the issue, noting cars now have similar drag and power when following, reducing the chance for a pass. The problem, highlighted in testing, raises concerns for race action and may prompt early-season reviews.
Charles Leclerc has voiced significant concerns that overtaking has become "extremely difficult" with Formula 1's new generation of cars, a sentiment echoed by McLaren team principal Andrea Stella. The Ferrari driver warns that any attempt to pass now comes at a "much more costly" price than in previous seasons, making it hard to complete a move and pull away.
Why it matters:
Overtaking is a fundamental element of wheel-to-wheel racing and fan engagement. If the new technical regulations have inadvertently made passing too difficult, it could lead to processional races and undermine the competitive spectacle that F1 has worked to enhance in recent years. These early warnings from a top driver and a leading team principal put immediate pressure on the FIA and F1 to assess and potentially address the issue.
The details:
- Leclerc confirmed that data checks align with the shared feeling among drivers on the grid, finding it currently "extremely difficult to make any overtakes."
- The core issue appears to be a convergence in car performance under the new rules. Stella highlighted that when following another car, drivers now experience "the same drag and the same power," neutralizing the performance delta needed for a clean pass.
- Leclerc suggested the high "price" of an overtake could relate to increased tire wear or energy deployment costs from the revised power units, making it harder to defend a position after making a move.
- Both McLaren and Ferrari drivers reported extreme difficulty during overtaking attempts throughout the three days of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
What's next:
While Leclerc acknowledged that teams might improve their situational management over time, the urgency is high. Stella has already called for changes in key racing areas, including overtaking, to be considered before the Australian Grand Prix. The early races will serve as a critical real-world test, and if the problem persists, it may force a swift regulatory review to preserve race action.