Charles Leclerc expressed his dislike, Max Verstappen stated he is no longer frustrated and frustration regarding qualifying with the new Formula 1 engine continues to grow.
Leclerc is among the most vocal critics of qualifying, as in every session so far, he has experienced less power than anticipated on the straights. The complexity of this new F1 power unit is such that it’s even difficult for drivers to understand what’s happening, but two central issues exist.
The Role of the Algorithm in Qualifying
At a certain point on each track, the driver needs to be on the throttle for one second to activate the system that will deliver maximum power on the straight. Simultaneously, a large part of the energy recovery and usage system of the hybrid engine is decided by algorithms. So, if a driver navigates a corner faster than before, something that would make sense during a “normal” qualifying session, the system will have to correct the energy usage further down the lap.
