Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes confirmed a primary glimpse of the “very impressive” tempo in Australian Grand Prix apply that has led many to put in the Silver Arrows as 2026’s title favourites.
Leclerc’s remark on the finish of the season’s first day on monitor in Melbourne was made regardless of Mercedes not topping both of Friday’s two apply classes.
It was the Monegasque himself who set the tempo from team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari one-two within the first hour of operating at Albert Park, earlier than McLaren’s Oscar Piastri beat the Mercedes drivers to the quickest time of the second session.
Nevertheless, Leclerc, who slipped to fifth place in second apply simply behind Hamilton, stated that whereas it had nonetheless been a productive opening day for Ferrari, Mercedes’ race-run velocity had stood out.
“FP1 looked positive but then FP2 I think the teams are showing little by little a bit more and, unfortunately, we seem to be on the back foot especially compared to Mercedes, that seems to be very, very strong,” stated Leclerc in his post-session TV interview.
“I do not suppose that they confirmed every part in low gas however on excessive gas it was very spectacular. It is the primary time most likely that we see how a lot there’s to them and it’s kind of greater than what I might have favored, but it surely’s the way in which it’s.
“Then, on the other side, it’s been quite a positive start to the weekend and we’ll keep working very hard in order to try and maximise everything for tomorrow.”
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Highlights from Friday’s apply classes on the Australian Grand Prix
Most observers had positioned Ferrari after pre-season testing in Bahrain as the closest challengers to Mercedes within the pecking order heading to Melbourne.
The Scuderia’s SF-26 duly appeared to indicate it was in fine condition on Friday, with Hamilton additionally inspired by the workforce’s early tempo.
In quotes by way of Ferrari’s end-of-day press launch, Hamilton stated: “It’s been a really good day. It’s great to be back on track and properly get going.
“It was difficult at occasions on monitor, however we maximised our laps and executed to one of the best of our capability, getting some good info. A lot of work to do however I am wanting ahead to getting again within the automotive tomorrow.”
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Lewis Hamilton simply avoids ‘loopy sluggish’ Franco Colapinto on the pit straight throughout P2 of the Australian GP
Russell and Norris not totally glad with first Friday of F1 season
Pre-season title favorite George Russell was third quickest in second apply behind pace-setter Piastri and Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
It was Mercedes’ long term tempo caught the attention of their rivals on the finish of the day which Sky Sports activities F1‘s Martin Brundle remarked as “blindingly fast”.
Russell although says Mercedes will “have to take another step overnight” to be within the battle for pole place when qualifying takes place on Saturday at 5am UK time.
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Arvid Lindblad runs overs George Russell’s entrance wing in pit lane throughout P2 on the Australian GP
“We didn’t have the smoothest first Friday of the season. FP1 was a tough session where we were struggling to optimise our battery harvesting and deployment,” he stated.
“That demanded most of our attention and we therefore couldn’t get stuck into our set-up work until much later in the hour. When we did, the car had a lot of understeer, and we also didn’t have the time to put together a long run.
“Fortunately, we made a optimistic step for FP2 and had a significantly better session. The automotive felt extra put collectively and we accomplished an excellent quantity of single lap and long term work. That places us in a good place for the remainder of the weekend.”
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On Paddock Go, Rachel Brookes spoke to the followers forward of the opening Method 1 race of the season in Australia
Reigning world champion Lando Norris was over one second slower than Piastri in second apply and is on the again foot after reliability points within the first session left him enjoying catch up.
Norris due to this fact faces an uphill battle to repeat his season-opener triumph from 12 months in the past, admitting he is “a little bit behind”.
“With these new regulations, time in the car is very important, so we’ve got a bit of work to do this evening to recover,” he added.
“We’ve got some good bits of data to go over from the second half of FP2, and there’s plenty we can learn from what our competitors have been doing. We’ll work hard tonight and try to close that gap before we get back in the car for FP3 tomorrow.”
Verstappen: Purple Bull working to get set-up proper
Max Verstappen additionally had hassle on Friday after stopping on the finish of the pit lane throughout second apply, which noticed him spend half of the session within the storage.
Verstappen ran huge at Flip 10 throughout his race simulation with the automotive momentarily leaping within the air as he bounced over the gravel at excessive velocity.
The Dutchman was 0.637s behind Piastri, with Purple Bull seemingly the slowest of the large 4 groups heading into Saturday.
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Max Verstappen has a ‘scary second’ after an enormous off throughout P2 in his Purple Bull on the Australian GP
“We are working on getting the set-up right with the car and were struggling a bit with grip and also went into the gravel,” stated Verstappen.
“We didn’t have a full day of clean running but, pace-wise, we are where I expected us to be. There is still a lot of work to do and we will analyse what worked and what we can improve on overnight and that is the reality at the moment.”
Sky Sports activities F1’s Australian GP schedule
Saturday March 7
0.10am: F3 Dash*
1.10am: Australian GP Follow Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
3.05am: F2 Dash*
4.10am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
5am: AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING*
7am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
9.45pm: F3 Function Race*
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As Method 1 enters a brand new period, Tate McRae’s GRAMMY-nominated Simply Preserve Watching will grow to be the brand new title monitor for Sky Sports activities’ F1 protection this season and past
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Function Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky One)*
*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Important Occasion
Watch each race of the 2026 Method 1 season dwell on Sky Sports activities, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix from this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
