Former F1 driver Jean-Louis Schlesser has been very critical of the technological direction taken by the discipline, considering that the emphasis on hybrid systems has become excessive.
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The 78-year-old Frenchman, who competed in two Grands Prix in 1983 and 1988 and was then world endurance champion, believes that Formula 1 has strayed too far from the very essence of motorsport.
“It’s a shame that electronics dominate the race so much,” he said. “It is worrying that the electric part represents such a large share of the engine. In my eyes, it should never exceed 40%.”
Stop the “greenwashing”
Schlesser also rejects the narrative that F1 has become an environmentally friendly discipline thanks to hybridization: “Saying that Formula 1 is ecological is absurd. If we really want to avoid environmental problems, we should stop racing. Semi-electric cars and all the rest, it’s a wrong direction.”
While FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, advocates for simpler, lighter, and less expensive engines after 2030, with a possible return of the V8 combined with reduced hybridization, Schlesser remains cautious: ” I don’t really believe it. Many manufacturers highlight the ecological aspect to satisfy their boards of directors. This is notably what pushed Audi to join Formula 1.”
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While he acknowledges that a V8 would make many enthusiasts dream, he believes that a return to this architecture is unlikely: “Maybe they will try to attract a manufacturer like BYD, but a V8 would be a dream. A V10 would be even better, although I don’t think that will happen.”
Anti-hero of F1 at Monza
During a recent historic meeting (photo above), Schlesser also revisited the most famous episode of his short Formula 1 career: his collision with Ayrton Senna during the 1988 Italian Grand Prix, which deprived McLaren of a perfect season that year: “Senna was very close to my gearbox and I really had no choice. If I had lifted off, he could have hit me. It was simply bad luck.”
He also recalls the circumstances of his arrival at Williams for this race, while he was a test driver for the English team: “Frank Williams called me to ask if I could be in Italy on Friday. He explained that he had a list of ten interested drivers, but his partner, engineer Patrick Head, wanted to entrust me with the car.”
After this unfortunate episode, “Schless'” was no longer seen in Formula 1 but he had a successful endurance career (two world titles for Sauber-Mercedes) before brilliantly switching to rally-raids, then as an organizer of off-road events in Africa.
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