Leclerc longs for louder engines while urging F1 to stay true

Formula 1 is riding a wave of global popularity, but Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc, has drawn a clear line in the sand over Grand Prix racing’s future.

Speaking to the media at last weekend’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix, the Monegasque made it crystal clear: F1’s current format is just right, and there’s no need to flip the script with more sprint races or gimmicky reverse grids.

However, when it comes to bringing back the thunderous roar of V8 engines, Leclerc is all in for that nostalgic vibe!

Sprint Races: Enough Is Enough

Since their debut in 2021, sprint races have spiced up grand prix weekends, delivering extra action for fans both trackside and glued to their screens.

With six sprints locked in for 2026 – including Silverstone’s big return and first-ever Saturday showdowns in Zandvoort and Singapore – F1 bosses are already eyeing an expansion for 2027 and beyond.

But Leclerc’s not sold on piling more short-form events onto the calendar.

“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.

As for the controversial idea of reverse grids, floated again recently by F1 chief Stefano Domenicali, the Ferrari driver wasn’t exactly rushing to embrace it.

“The reverse grid... I don't know, not on a normal weekend at least,” Leclerc admitted.

While he’s open to testing the concept during a sprint weekend, he’s firm that it doesn’t vibe with F1’s core identity.

“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,” he added.

“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.”

V8 Nostalgia: Missing the Noise

Leclerc also touched on the ongoing debate about Formula 1’s future engines. Talks have taken place between the FIA, Formula One Management, and manufacturers about a potential return to simpler, cheaper V8 power units, though any fast-tracking before 2031 has so far been ruled out.

For the Ferrari charger, though, the appeal of a return to the soundtrack of his childhood is undeniable.

“This I would love to have back, much more noise would be really appreciated,” he said.

“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.”

• Read also: FIA’s V8 engine ambitions stalled as key London summit cancelled

With Leclerc calling for restraint on format tweaks and championing the roar of the V8s, his vision for F1’s future seems rooted more in preserving its DNA than reinventing it.

For the Monegasque, the best way forward might simply be keeping the magic of Formula 1 exactly as it is – but just make it louder!

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