Leclerc confident Ferrari will keep its start advantage despite FIA’s new safety system
Originally published by F1Technical
The FIA has introduced several regulatory updates ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, including a new safeguard designed to prevent dangerously slow getaways at the start.
The change comes in response to inconsistent torque delivery seen during the opening races of the 2026 season, an issue that has already contributed to several near‑misses and one major accident.
While the new system is intended to protect drivers who suffer a “horrible start,” Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is confident that it will not compromise the Italian team’s strong launch performance.
The new “low power start detection” system will monitor the initial acceleration phase after clutch release. If a car fails to accelerate normally, the electrical system will automatically intervene to ensure the car moves off safely.
FIA Single‑Seater Director Nikolas Tombazis explained that the rollout will be gradual, saying: “On the risks at race starts, it will probably take two or three Grands Prix to implement all the changes, but we will already carry out some tests in Miami and Montreal, putting a safety net in place.”
He also detailed how the system will operate in practice: “If it is detected that a car has an extremely problematic start, the electrical system will activate and take control, ensuring that the car moves off safely to avoid risks for the drivers behind.”
Ferrari has been one of the strongest teams off the line this season, benefitting from the characteristics of its smaller turbocharger, which delivers more consistent torque at low revs. With the FIA now intervening in the start procedure, Leclerc was asked whether Ferrari risked losing its competitive edge.
Leclerc was quick to reassure fans that the new system will not affect teams that already execute clean starts. He explained: “I honestly don't think they will affect starting performance, it's more of a system to avoid problems if someone were to start very badly. If you make a normal start, nothing will change.”
Beyond the start procedure, Leclerc also addressed the broader competitive picture heading into Miami. With many teams bringing significant upgrade packages after the long break, he acknowledged that the grid could look slightly different—but not radically so.
He said: “Surely it will be unusual to see so many updates for so many teams, but with the long break, many cars will be practically new. However, I doubt that the order we have seen so far will change significantly.
"There may be differences, but I don't expect a reversal. Let's hope that when compared to McLaren, our package will make a difference. But to reach Mercedes, I think they are too far ahead, at least for the updates we bring here.”
Leclerc also raised concerns about racing in wet conditions under the 2026 power‑unit rules. The combination of poor visibility and differing energy‑deployment strategies could create unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations.
He warned: “It will seem strange, but you can be faster at the end of the straight in the wet than in the dry. The problem is that, with poor visibility and different engine strategies, we could find ourselves in complicated situations.”