The first practice sessions for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne revealed promising performance from Ferrari’s SF-26, particularly over single laps. Lewis Hamilton’s form stood out, suggesting that Ferrari might be able to contend seriously against leading rivals with both cars.
Ferrari’s drivers and team leaders have consistently highlighted the necessity of staying focused internally, avoiding distractions from external expectations. Although it can be easier to unite during tough times, controlling excitement during positive moments—especially triggered by the hopes of passionate ‘rosso’ supporters—presents its own challenges. The one-two finish in the morning’s first practice session (FP1) sparked widespread attention during the break before the afternoon effort.
Questions Around Competitors and Final Practice Results
Speculation arose about Mercedes power unit reliability and setup issues affecting McLaren and Red Bull after the morning session. However, the afternoon session brought the competition closer to what Formula 1 anticipated in Australia, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing fourth and fifth. Leclerc did face difficulties with setup adjustments, stating,
“I tried something quite aggressive that didn’t work.”
Despite this, the testing in Bahrain had already indicated Ferrari’s overall solidity, with the SF-26 within three tenths of the best Mercedes lap time.
Charles Leclerc noted,
“FP1 went well, but in FP2 Mercedes showed their potential more clearly.”
This superiority from Mercedes was particularly clear in race pace, demonstrated by George Russell and Matteo Antonelli leading the field. Assessing Ferrari’s true race speed remains complex, as Hamilton completed only five flying laps and Leclerc’s long runs lacked consistency for dependable data.
Challenges Ahead for Ferrari’s Drivers in Melbourne and Shanghai
Leclerc expressed uncertainty regarding Mercedes’ qualifying pace, adding,
“I don’t know how much margin they still have in qualifying, but in race pace, they seem very strong compared to us, really impressive.”
He acknowledged the need for improvement, remarking,
“We have work to do, but as I have always said, Melbourne and Shanghai are probably the two most challenging tracks of the season for my driving style.”
Notably, both practice sessions ended with Leclerc behind Hamilton, highlighting the latter’s competitive resurgence despite not scoring points yet.
Hamilton’s Positive Momentum Marks Key Development for Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton’s encouraging start to the season represents one of Ferrari’s most uplifting developments, considering his struggles at the end of last year when he lagged behind his teammate. Establishing a stronger pace early on was vital, and Hamilton’s remarks reflect the importance of this progress. He shared,
“It was fantastic to get back on track and start taking things seriously. It’s wonderful to be here, and I’m incredibly grateful to be doing what I love and to see so many fans today. On track, it was challenging at times, but we maximized the laps we had and worked as effectively as possible, gathering a lot of useful information. There is still a lot of work to do, but I’m looking forward to getting back in the car tomorrow.”
Ferrari’s Strength in Depth Suggests Competitive Season Ahead
While the exact ranking of the SF-26 will become clear after qualifying, Ferrari’s confirmation of having two capable cars marks a significant positive after uncertainty at the end of last season. This depth could enable the Scuderia to challenge more consistently in 2026, with Hamilton and Leclerc both poised to contribute meaningfully to the team’s quest for success in Melbourne and beyond.
