Charles Leclerc had an eventful first Formula 1 race of 2026, partly due to the cars of the new regulations era, which reminded of him a popular video game.
The new ruleset has been dividing drivers and fans alike since the winter, and the season-opener in Melbourne further underlined the split.
Max Verstappen has been previously critical of the situation, dubbing the cars as like “Formula E on steroids” during pre-season testing.
And Lando Norris issued damning verdicts on the cars in Melbourne, the reigning World Champion saying he could “talk for hours” about it, adding: “It’s just we’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula 1, and the nicest to drive to probably the worst, and it sucks, but you have to live with it, and then just maximise what you what you get given.”
Lewis Hamilton appeared to give an opposing view, saying his new Ferrari was “really fun to drive” on his way to fourth place.
And George Russell seemed to indicate a sense of hypocrisy from the drivers who had been more outspokenly against it, saying “that’s just how the game goes.”
But for Leclerc, on the other hand, one notable moment, unheard on TV broadcasts, issued a far more imaginative interpretation.
During his early-race battle with eventual winner Russell, Leclerc, referring to the boost and other overtake modes which make up part of the new regulations, drew a comparison to the popular video game.
“When I press it, it feels like the mushroom in Mario Kart,” the Monegasque.
“Nice one,” came the reply from race engineer, Bryan Bozzi.
Leclerc stormed into the lead at Turn 1 from fourth on the grid, emphasising the apparent advantage Ferrari carries in terms of race starts.
But a botched strategy during a Virtual Safety Car nullified the Scuderia’s challenge, seeing Leclerc eventually finish third behind Andrea Kimi Antonelli, with teammate Lewis Hamilton just behind fourth.
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