Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Charles Leclerc believes Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team currently holds a performance advantage after Friday practice sessions for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Circuit.
Although Mercedes did not top either practice session, Leclerc pointed to the team’s long-run pace as a strong indicator of its potential competitiveness. The Scuderia Ferrari driver set the fastest time in FP1 before Oscar Piastri from McLaren Formula 1 Team lowered the benchmark during FP2.
According to Leclerc, the performance shown during longer runs suggests Mercedes may have the strongest race pace heading into the opening round of the season.
“FP1 was good, FP2... Mercedes is slowly showing a bit more of what they have, and we are starting to see where we are lacking compared to them,” Leclerc said.
“I think they are clearly very strong, especially in terms of race pace. I don’t know how much margin they still have on qualifying pace, but in race pace they seem to be very strong compared to us.”
Leclerc also highlighted Piastri’s impressive lap in the second session but suggested McLaren may have been running different test programmes across its two cars.
“Oscar did a very impressive lap, but I don’t know what they are doing between the cars,” Leclerc explained.
“Maybe they are testing different things between the cars because Lando Norris was quite far back.”
Saturday’s qualifying session is expected to provide the first clearer picture of the competitive order in the early stages of the 2026 season. However, Leclerc suspects Mercedes may currently hold the advantage over its rivals.
“It’s the first race of a completely new car, so there are lots of question marks,” Leclerc said.
“But on the long run you get a better picture of what’s going on with everyone’s performance so far.”
“I hope I’m wrong and that we are much faster tomorrow. But at the moment it seems to be Mercedes a step ahead, then Red Bull Racing, McLaren and ourselves after.”
Ferrari will now analyse data overnight to refine its setup ahead of qualifying as teams continue adapting to the new generation of Formula 1 machinery introduced for the 2026 championship season.
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Baca Juga
Max Verstappen merusak lantai mobil Red Bull RB22 setelah keluar lintasan di FP2 F1 Australia 2026 di Albert Park.
Adrian Newey menjelaskan mengapa Honda kesulitan bersaing di awal era regulasi F1 2026 bersama Aston Martin.
Sergio Perez meminta Cadillac menjalani FP3 bersih setelah masalah teknis membatasi lap di F1 Australia 2026.
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