Charles Leclerc details immense Ferrari challenge in 'historic' F1 moment

Charles Leclerc has detailed the immense challenge Ferrari has undertaken as part of the new power unit regulations, describing them as the "biggest changes in F1 history".

The sport's new regulations have introduced radical changes to the power unit, with the MGU-H removed and the MGU-K output increased from 120kW to 350kW.

For this year, the power units feature a 50-50 split between electrical power and internal combustion, representing a significant move towards electrification.

Ferrari has invested considerable time in F1's new regulations and its new car, the SF-26, with aerodynamic development on last year's car halted at the end of April.

The Scuderia unveiled its latest design last month, before Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton completed an initial shakedown test at its Fiorano test track, followed by a positive few days of testing at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

It is a period in F1 that will require considerable change from both teams and drivers, but is something Leclerc is very excited about.

"I think it's one of the biggest changes that has happened in F1 history, so it's been particularly exciting for that reason," said Leclerc.

"Since I arrived in F1, I've had one big technical change from '21 to '22, but this is nothing like that. We kind of have to relearn most of the programmes. We've got to understand the system a lot better in order to make the most of it.

"So there are many, many implications on the driver's side as well — the way we drive, the way we'll manage the racing — and this makes it a big challenge, but that's something that excites me.

"And with all the work that has been happening behind the scenes, I was just really keen to finally try it in reality and see how it felt. So yeah, it was very exciting."