[Saba Sports News] Despite widespread criticism toward the new-generation F1 rules early in the season, Charles Leclerc is among the few drivers in the paddock who openly back the 2026 regulations. He stated recently that negative public opinions about the new rules have been greatly exaggerated, and he believes the current races are far more exciting than most people think.
Since the start of the 2026 season, the brand-new powertrain and energy management system have quickly sparked heated debates. The massive involvement of electric power forces drivers to constantly adjust their driving rhythm. They even need to lift off the throttle mid-corner to recuperate energy and unleash full power on straights. This driving style is totally different from traditional F1 racing, drawing complaints from numerous competitors. After the first three rounds, the FIA rolled out partial rule revisions, including optimizing energy deployment modes and easing energy recovery limits on certain tracks, aiming to avoid overly extreme battery management tactics in races. The Miami Grand Prix marked the first event held under the adjusted rules. Though the overall viewing experience still divides opinions, Leclerc holds the revisions have yielded positive outcomes.
In his view, many people overlook the tactical shifts brought by the new rules. As every driver has to plan energy storage and output timing, overtaking is no longer merely reliant on slipstream and DRS, but has evolved into intricate rhythm battles. He even pointed out that overtaking in the classic DRS era was also full of tactics, so modern races have not lost their essence at all.
In my opinion, the current system still leaves plenty of room for improvement. In particular, certain driving maneuvers feel unnatural, forcing drivers to go against their inherent racing instincts. Still, this does not mean the new rules are a failure; they are simply in the ongoing fine-tuning phase.