Leclerc highlights “counterintuitive” wet-weather risks ahead of Miami Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc has issued a caution over potentially hazardous and “counterintuitive” racing dynamics should heavy rain affect Sunday’s , with adverse weather conditions forecast to play a significant role.
Formula 1 resumes this weekend following a five-week hiatus since the , but pre-race discussions have been dominated by concerns over wet-weather performance and safety.
During the break, the ratified a series of regulatory adjustments aimed at mitigating risks in wet conditions. Chief among these is the deactivation of the “boost button” — an energy deployment feature that can deliver up to 350kW of additional electrical power in dry running — in order to reduce closing speeds when visibility and grip are compromised.
Despite this restriction, teams will continue to utilise pre-set energy deployment modes. This introduces the possibility of notable performance differentials across the field, contingent on individual power unit strategies and deployment calibration.
Leclerc emphasised that such disparities could lead to unpredictable and potentially unsafe scenarios.
“You can find yourself in tricky situations,” he noted. “Especially if drivers are running different power unit strategies.”
The Ferrari driver’s remarks underscore concerns that inconsistent energy delivery and variable acceleration profiles may create irregular speed patterns around the circuit a factor that is particularly problematic in wet conditions where traction is limited and driver visibility is reduced.
Should the forecasted rain materialise, the Miami Grand Prix is likely to place a premium on strategic execution, situational awareness, and driver discipline, alongside outright performance.