Charles Leclerc has given a proposed future change to Formula 1 his support, as debate mounts over the future direction of the sport.
2026 sees the introduction of perhaps the most radical set of technical regulations in the history of F1, with further electrification a cornerstone of them.
Across this year, the kickback from this, spawned in the shape of discussion as to reintroducing more traditional combustion engines, has undermined the new rulebook.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been particularly vocal in his wish for such engines to make a return.
A planned meeting about bringing back V10 engines were scrapped, as was a more recent one about V8s, which has been mooted with a KERS-like system and sustainable fuels.
Leclerc, who has never raced in any era besides the V6 hybrid one, appears to have given a return to these engines his backing.
“This I would love to have back, much more noise would be really appreciated,” he said ahead of last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
“I would definitely prefer to go back to normal V8 or V10 engines and especially the noise, that’s what I’m missing the most about the sport, that’s what made me fall in love with the sport.
“I’m obviously from Monaco and I remember when the F1 cars were driving around Monaco back then, it gave me chills and now I don’t think you have that feeling anymore, which is a shame.”
Leclerc backs F1 Sprint format to remain amid reverse grid discussions
One other aspect of F1 that appears to be set to change is the race weekend format, with several extreme measures floated by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
These include the increase of Sprint Races within a season, and reverse grids on them, along with lessening or scrapping free practice.
Leclerc believes this particular part of F1 should stay as it is.
“My personal opinion is that I think the amount of sprint races we have at the moment is good enough and I wouldn’t want to go more than that,” he said.
“The reverse grid… I don’t know, not on a normal weekend at least.
“On a sprint weekend, why not consider for the sprint race but it’s really not something that I see should be part of Formula 1’s DNA.
“I think the way Formula 1 is at the moment is where I think it should stay and I don’t think we’ve got to reinvent anything.”
READ MORE – F1 drivers deliver mixed verdict on mooted Sprint Race plans
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