Suzuka, Japan – Charles Leclerc of Ferrari expressed his frustration with the current Formula 1 regulations following qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix. Although securing a fourth-place starting position, Leclerc voiced strong criticism of the rules’ impact on the qualifying experience, calling them “a joke.”
Leclerc will start Sunday’s race at the Suzuka International Racing Course in fourth, behind the Mercedes duo and Oscar Piastri. During qualifying, he briefly lost control of his car in Turn 8 but managed to continue his lap. The Monégasque driver believes this moment didn’t negatively affect his overall performance. “People suppose that I lost time through that moment, but actually I took a lot of speed with it. So I gained time. It was something good and I don’t think it ruined my lap,” Leclerc explained in the paddock.
‘Extremely Frustrating’
Despite his positive assessment of the lap itself, Leclerc is dissatisfied with how qualifying feels under the current regulations. He argues that the rules restrict drivers’ ability to push the limits. “Honestly, stand these rules in qualifying. It’s a joke. I go faster in the corners, I can gas earlier, but I lose everything on the straights. It’s very frustrating, because when you go into Q3, you try things that are slightly different. And when you do that, the system has to re-optimize everything while you are driving,” Leclerc stated.
According to the Ferrari driver, drivers are now forced to alter their driving style to achieve a competitive lap time. “For some reason, I start gaining time in the corners in Q3, but losing on the straights. Qualifying is about finding the limit and playing with it, but at the moment you get punished as soon as you look for that limit. You can never do a full lap, because you always have to sacrifice something, and that’s just frustrating.”
‘Putting Pressure’ on FIA
Leclerc hopes the FIA will address these concerns promptly, noting that the Ferrari power unit appears more sensitive to the regulations than its Mercedes counterpart. “I feel like we have a bit more issues compared to the Mercedes engine, and that’s something we necessitate to look into. I realize the FIA is working on a solution, and hopefully that happens quickly,” said Leclerc.
The situation comes as Max Verstappen, who qualified in a disappointing position, also expressed frustration with the qualifying format, though he appeared to have accepted the outcome.
Looking ahead to the race, Leclerc doesn’t anticipate a straightforward path to victory. He believes Mercedes holds a clear speed advantage. “With a good start, we can put Mercedes under pressure, but they will ultimately pull away like in the last few races. Only if we can fight in the last lap, which is unlikely, can we maybe hope for a win. As soon as they are in free air, overtaking becomes impossible for us,” Leclerc concluded.
The 2026 Japanese Grand Prix is set to be a challenging race for Ferrari, with Leclerc acknowledging the uphill battle against the dominant Mercedes team. The race is scheduled for Sunday, March 30, 2026, at the Suzuka International Racing Course.
Charles Leclerc, currently driving for Ferrari, has been a prominent figure in Formula One since his debut in 2018. He was the runner-up in the 2022 Formula One World Drivers’ Championship and has secured eight Grand Prix wins across nine seasons. His career began in karting, progressing through various junior formulae before reaching Formula One. He recently married Alexandra Saint Mleux in 2026.
The FIA inspected Leclerc’s Ferrari SF-26 before the race, a standard procedure but one that highlights the scrutiny surrounding the team’s performance and adherence to regulations.
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Next Up: The Japanese Grand Prix race will take place on Sunday, March 30, 2026, at the Suzuka International Racing Course. Fans can follow the action live on official Formula 1 broadcasters worldwide.
What are your thoughts on Leclerc’s comments and Ferrari’s chances in Japan? Share your predictions in the comments below!
