Ahead of a new qualifying format on Saturday at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc has admitted that “jeopardy” isn’t good for Formula 1, with the new format set to throw up several surprises.
Qualifying on Saturday will feature a format never seen before, as a different compound will be used in each part of the session.
Q1 will be completed solely on the Hard compound, whilst Q2 will feature just the Mediums.
Q3 will then be more traditional, as it’ll feature just the Soft compound.
Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies
The format was supposed to be trialled at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix; however, it’s now being used on Saturday at the Hungaroring following the cancellation of the event at Imola.
Leclerc is expecting the new format to be “very tricky”, given that the drivers aren’t used to completing a hot lap on the Medium or Hard compounds.
“It is going to be very tricky because the free practice preparations will be quite mixed,” said Leclerc.
“I feel like we are going to see many different programmes in practice along the grid because there are so many different options you can choose now with this new format.
“We’ll see. It can be an opportunity. If you take the wrong decisions your weekend can go a bad way, but it’s part of the game.
“I think Q1 and Q2 will be tricky with the different compounds. It’s something that we are not really used to, pushing on a hard tyre in a qualifying mode, so that will be quite new for everyone, and this might be a surprise for a few people.”
The format is certainly expected to throw up a few shocks, given that some cars are able to heat up harder compounds quicker than others.
As a result, there is a sense of “jeopardy” about the format, something Leclerc doesn’t agree with.
READ: Sergio Perez comments on Daniel Ricciardo ‘shame’
Leclerc believes the fastest drivers should be the ones who excel in qualifying, with jeopardy not being something which should “be a part” of F1.
“No, I don’t think so. I don’t think jeopardy should be a part of the sport. The best one should win,” insisted Leclerc.
“It might be a bit of an unknown for now. The more we do this format, the more people will know what to expect and the more things will come back to the right order.”