CONTROVERSY: Charles Leclerc disagrees with Max Verstappen over fresh F1 concern

Charles Leclerc has concurred with Max Verstappen that F1 racing feels less natural following the introduction of fresh guidelines.

Revised racing rules for the new season give priority to the driver on the inside line, outlining the front axle must be alongside the mirror of their rival prior to and at the apex of a corner, which eliminates the need to give the other car room on the exit.

Leclerc was involved in an intense battle with Williams’ Alex Albon in Imola on Sunday, which saw the latter run through the gravel when he was run wide by Leclerc.

Max Verstappen recently questioned the regulation of racing and highlighted it was better to “leave it natural” going forward.

When the four-time champion’s assessment was put to the Monegasque driver, Leclerc told media including RacingNews365: “It’s true.

“We all have the rules in our heads and we always try to play with them, which is what I was trying to do today.

“Sometimes on those rules, a centimetre is enough to be within the rules or outside the rules.

“Judging it at 250 km/h is a bit tricky. I thought I was just in. From outside, it doesn’t look so nice because there’s one car in the gravel.

“I’ll look back at it – I’m always very honest with myself. If I think that I’ve done a mistake, I’ll say so to Alex, but for now, I don’t think I did.”