Charles Leclerc Exposes “Extreme Features” of 2026 F1 Cars

Charles Leclerc has revealed how drivers can go to the extreme limit in the 2026 F1 challengers because of the radical driving style change.

Charles Leclerc Exposes “Extreme Features” of 2026 F1 Cars

Charles Leclerc (via Getty)

In Short
  • Charles Leclerc describes the 2026 F1 cars as having "extreme features" that require significant adaptation from drivers.
  • He notes that the new regulations demand more effort from drivers, reducing the focus on pure driving.
  • Leclerc highlights the noticeable weight reduction in cars, allowing for a more responsive and manageable driving experience.

The challengers developed under the 2026 regulations seem to be vastly different from those of the previous regulations. Many drivers are seemingly surprised at the changes under the new rules. However, they are looking forward to the challenge and developing over the season. Amid the preparations, Charles Leclerc opens up on the “extreme” features of the modern cars.

Charles Leclerc was one of the many drivers who remained critical of the new regulations. The Monegasque raised some concerning remarks about the regulations and how they were very demanding. Leclerc even believed that overtaking was bound to be a nightmare for the drivers. Anywho, following multiple testing sessions, the 28-year-old has some good things to say about the challengers.

Speaking from a driver’s perspective, Charles Leclerc insisted that he had to adapt to the changing style. He emphasized that the cars of this regulation were very different from those of the previous seasons. Leclerc noted that drivers are required to work harder while sitting in the car on the various new elements, rather than focusing purely on driving.

As drivers in general, you always have to adapt and change your driving style, This year is more of a change than we’ve been used to in the past, and more than anything, it is more the amount of work there is when you’re inside the car; the percentage of driving is actually less.

Charles Leclerc said, as reported by RacingNews365.

Charles Leclerc highlighted that the weight change in the car was clearly noticeable, and drivers now needed to adapt to it. The challengers felt more alive and had a snappy rear end. Leclerc reckoned that the heavier cars of the previous era were more difficult to manage and were susceptible to oversteer. Ultimately, the Monegasque believes that the drivers can now go to extreme ends with the modern regulation cars.

You can definitely feel [the reduction] in weight, the car is a bit more alive, and the balance you can play with a lot more and have a very snappy rear end. Last year with the weight, it was a bit more difficult to manage, and I’ve always liked oversteering cas, but with these cars, I feel like you can go more extreme with it.

Charles Leclerc added.

Charles Leclerc reveals “used to” factors of the 2026 F1 challengers

Not everything in the modern challengers is a complete shock for the drivers. There are many elements that they are delighted to have, and some are similar to those of the previous cars. In the 2026 F1 regulations, the electric split in the engine is much higher, and the drivers will need to work on the electrical components in the cars.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (via ASPhotography)
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (via ASPhotography)

However, Charles Leclerc reckons that there are some components that the drivers are used to. Now, the drivers have to think more actively about the various buttons in the car. Still, driving-wise, many aspects of the car remained similar and were not a radical shift. Leclerc concluded by pointing out that drivers simply needed to adapt to a new driving style and other changes while going from qualifying to the race.

Now it is more about thinking about everything else you’ve got to think of when you’re in the car to maximise all the systems around you. So you’ve got to think actively a lot more compared to the past, but then driving-wise, it is something we’re used to. When you go from qualifying to race, just like last year, you’ll change a lot of your driving style, so now, it is just a different way of driving.

Charles Leclerc noted.

The 2026 season is certainly going to be an exciting ordeal for the fans and drivers. None of the teams seems to be the clear favorite yet. Hence, it will be interesting to see how the teams and drivers build themselves around the new regulations and build on the positive momentum.

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