Charles Leclerc thinks 2026 overtakes don’t feel "artificial" despite driver backlash

Charles Leclerc has offered a measured defence of Formula 1’s all-new 2026 machinery, insisting the cars do not feel "artificial" from the cockpit — even as several of his rivals voice strong opposition to the sweeping regulation overhaul.

A radical shift in car philosophy

That transformation has already reshaped the racing dynamic across the opening two rounds in Australia and China. The on-track product has featured more wheel-to-wheel battles, driven in part by what many have described as a ‘yo-yo’ effect.

At the Chinese Grand Prix, for instance, overtakes were frequently completed at the Turn 14 hairpin, only for positions to change again along the pit straight. The fight would then continue through the remainder of the lap — a pattern repeated throughout the field.

Not everyone is convinced.

Max Verstappen has been particularly critical, claiming those who enjoy the spectacle "don’t understand racing." Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon have expressed similar reservations, largely centred on the increased reliance on battery management.

Leclerc: “It doesn’t feel so artificial”

Leclerc, however, sees it differently — especially from inside a front-running car.

“I enjoy it and it doesn't feel so artificial from inside the car,” said the Ferrari driver. “Of course, you've got those overtakes where it's artificial, whenever someone is doing a mistake with the battery and completely drains it and then, there's a massive speed difference.”

“But, I feel like we are all converging a little bit towards knowing where shouldn't we go and where can we try and take the risk and so, that creates very interesting overtaking places. I think today was the showing of that.”

Shanghai provided clear examples. The Turn 6-9 complex — not traditionally a hotspot for side-by-side action — saw sustained wheel-to-wheel combat, notably in the intense scrap between Leclerc, Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes’ George Russell as they battled over positions second to fourth.

Leclerc ultimately missed out on the podium, finishing fourth, but left China encouraged — particularly at a circuit he has previously described as one of his more challenging venues.

A Hard but fair fight

“I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I'm not sure if you ask the team, they will reply the same. But, I really enjoyed it."

"Honestly, these cars for races, it's actually quite fun and yeah, it was just a cool race. At the end of the day, Lewis was just stronger and I'm happy for his podium. I'm, of course, disappointed for losing out on the podium on my side, but I know I've given everything and at the end of the day, Lewis was just stronger this weekend."

“It was a very fair, hard but fair battle, which was nice and then, there's also a lot of tactics from inside the cockpit that is really cool. There was obviously this battle for who will get the overtake in the last corner and we both brake very early. And, the way you deploy and manage the energy, it was a fun race.”

The strategic element of energy deployment has become central to the new era, adding a tactical layer that Leclerc clearly relishes — even if others remain unconvinced.

Qualifying still a concern

While broadly positive about the racing product, Leclerc did acknowledge that qualifying under the new regulations requires attention.

“It's not those super high downforce cars that we used to have in the past,” he explained *“There are some things that we, of course, need to look at.”

“To make it a little bit more Formula 1-like in qualifying because, I feel like there’s something that we miss. But, I know the FIA is working on it and hopefully, we'll find a solution for that.”

For now, the early championship picture remains tight. Leclerc’s fourth-place finish in Shanghai, added to his third in the Melbourne opener, leaves him third in the standings — 17 points adrift of leader George Russell.

Two races into the 2026 season, the debate over Formula 1’s new direction is only just beginning. But from Leclerc’s perspective, the view from inside the cockpit tells a more nuanced story than the criticism suggests.