Formula 1 Azerbaijan GP

Charles Leclerc backs V8 engines, but F1 format should 'stay where it is'

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc weighs in on the debate over Formula 1 experimenting with its weekend format, and a move to louder engines in the future

Filip Cleeren Oleg Karpov

Published: Sep 26, 2025, 8:42 AM

Copy link

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo by: Jayce Illman / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc feels Formula 1 has found its right number of sprint races but is against adding reverse-grid elements, while he has thrown his support behind the V8 push.

F1 introduced sprint races in 2021 to increase the spectacle on offer over a grand prix weekend and provide a more compelling product to TV viewers and spectators at the track.

F1 recently confirmed the venues for 2026's six sprint races, including a sprint return in Silverstone and the first-ever Saturday races in Zandvoort and Singapore, while the series is also holding talks with all its stakeholders on potentially increasing the number of sprints for 2027 and beyond.

In a recent roundtable with Motorsport.com and other media, F1 chief Stefano Domenicali floated the idea of reverse-grid races and other ways to shake the series as it attracts a younger and more diverse demographic.

While an increase in the number of sprints races is likely to happen in the near future, Ferrari racer Charles Leclerc says he isn't too keen on the idea. And even though he doesn't feel reverse grids fit within F1's DNA, he concedes the idea could at least be trialled on a sprint weekend.

"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," Leclerc said at last weekend's Azerbaijan Grand Prix. "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."

Spa-Francorchamps was among the six venues hosting a sprint race in 2025

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Leclerc does miss his childhood's V8 engines

Discussions have also taken place on future power units, with F1's manufacturers, commercial rightsholder FOM and governing body the FIA all largely aligned on a move towards cheaper and simpler V8-based engines in the future. A move to fast-track their introduction before the current 2031 timeframe has failed, however, due to a lack of support.

But having grown up with the V10 and especially V8 eras as a child, Leclerc would be keen on F1 reverting to louder engines. "This I would love to have back, much more noise would be really appreciated," he added.

"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."

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Viber

Previous article Stronger Yuki Tsunoda showed why Red Bull won't rush F1 driver decision

Next article Lewis Hamilton shares Roscoe health update; misses Pirelli test as Zhou Guanyu steps in

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

Latest news

2027 Formula E drivers and teams: The line-up so far

Formula E

FE Formula E 45 min

2027 Formula E drivers and teams: The line-up so far

Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1 1 h

Kimi Antonelli meets Italian president Sergio Mattarella

How seizing every chance – and making it happen – keeps Pierre Gasly’s fire burning

Formula 1

How seizing every chance – and making it happen – keeps Pierre Gasly’s fire burning

How Qatar red flag helped Johann Zarco put Barcelona crash behind him

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP

Qatar GP

1 h

How Qatar red flag helped Johann Zarco put Barcelona crash behind him

Feature

Discover prime content

How seizing every chance – and making it happen – keeps Pierre Gasly’s fire burning

Formula 1

By Jake Boxall-Legge

How seizing every chance – and making it happen – keeps Pierre Gasly’s fire burning

Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Ronald Vording

Tough love and F1 titles – A key life lesson behind Wolff's Mercedes success

How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't

Formula 1

Sao Paulo GP

By Filip Cleeren

How Brazil showcased everything that's good about F1 - plus some that isn't

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s

Formula 1

By Kevin Turner

Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Become a subscriber.
Disable your adblocker.

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts