Charles Leclerc delivers 'no doubt' verdict over 'dangerous scenarios'

Charles Leclerc has highlighted how the new F1 regulations created "dangerous scenarios" during wheel-to-wheel racing, as part of a chorus of drivers raising safety concerns ahead of crucial FIA meetings this month.

The Ferrari driver, speaking candidly about the technical rules that have dominated discussion through the season's opening rounds, acknowledged that drivers must fundamentally alter their approach to defending and attacking.

"I think that with these cars, surely we need to race differently, and there's no doubt about that," Leclerc told media, including RacingNews365.

"And one of the points actually was moving or changing direction whenever you are super clipping, and that's what creates some quite dangerous scenarios."

Leclerc's comments come as the FIA continues its series of meetings in April with the F1 Commission — which comprises the motorsport governing body, Formula 1 management (FOM), the teams and the power unit manufacturers — to address mounting concerns over the regulations, with a critical vote scheduled for 20 April that could reshape aspects of the controversial rules.

The safety issues were starkly illustrated at the Japanese Grand Prix, where Haas' Oliver Bearman suffered a frightening 50G impact after encountering a massive speed differential with Franco Colapinto approaching Spoon Curve.

With a closing speed of over 50kph to the Alpine driver, it forced the British youngster onto the grass before spinning into the barriers at high speed.

Leclerc torn over tweaks to races

Carlos Sainz, who is a Grand Prix Drivers' Association (GPDA) director, warned that such incidents were inevitable.

"With the closing speeds we have with the boost button, or even without using the boost button, sometimes your engine gives you a lot more speed than the guy in front, depending on where the other [driver] is on the energy. And it was only a matter of time [before] the first big crash was going to happen," the Williams driver said after the race at Suzuka.

Sainz added that the speed differentials fundamentally undermine racing: "When you are racing each other, and you realise that there can be a 50 kph speed delta, that's actually not racing. There's no category, I think, in the world where you have these kinds of closing speeds."

Leclerc, meanwhile, referenced his own experiences battling George Russell in Australia as evidence of the challenges.

"On my side, as well as in Australia, there were some pretty tricky moments with George. So yes, I think it will also get better with time, but surely it's tricky," he explained.

The pair engaged in an intense multi-lap fight for the lead at Albert Park, with Russell at one point complaining a defensive move from Leclerc was "very dangerous" as they went wheel-to-wheel into Turn 11.

Despite the safety concerns, Leclerc suggested the problems lie more with qualifying than racing itself, and hinted at division within the paddock over the extent of changes required.

"I think for qualifying, there are definitely tweaks that we need to make in order for us to push those cars to the limit [without] having to think too much about the energy," he said.

"For the race, I think it also comes from just adjustments on our side in racing, in defending, and taking into account that the speed differences can be more important, and on that, I mean, probably more the defending cars than the attacking car."

Leclerc believes the racing format has merit despite the challenges. He concluded: "Whether we need to change absolutely everything for the race, I don't know.

"I don't know if I'm the only one… I don't think I'm the only one speaking with other drivers, but it might be half-half, but I actually enjoy these cars for the racing bit."

The FIA's meetings on 15, 16 and 20 April will determine whether proposed tweaks to energy management parameters can address the safety concerns whilst preserving the close racing the regulations were designed to deliver.