Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Toto Wolff has acknowledged that Ferrari will pose a serious challenge to Mercedes in the 2026 Formula 1 title fight after a close battle during the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne.
The race began dramatically when Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc surged into the lead after both Mercedes drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, struggled off the line due to low battery charge at the start. Leclerc immediately established himself at the front ahead of Russell, while team-mate Lewis Hamilton climbed to third after overtaking Arvid Lindblad.
Leclerc and Russell then engaged in an intense duel during the opening stint, exchanging the race lead seven times within the first 11 laps. Hamilton soon closed in on the pair, briefly turning the fight into a three-way contest for victory before Russell made a pit stop under a Virtual Safety Car triggered by a stopped car from Isack Hadjar.
Ferrari initially held a one-two position but chose not to pit either Leclerc or Hamilton during the Virtual Safety Car period, including a second deployment after Valtteri Bottas stopped on track in his Cadillac. As a result, both Ferrari drivers were forced to pit under green-flag conditions, costing valuable time.
That decision allowed Mercedes to regain control of the race and ultimately secure a one-two finish, with Russell taking victory ahead of Antonelli. The result marked Mercedes’ first one-two finish without Hamilton involved since the 1955 Italian Grand Prix, when Juan Manuel Fangio and Piero Taruffi delivered the same result for the team.
“There is so much contentment that I feel in the team at the moment,” Wolff said.
“After our run of eight championships and then the difficult years, we still managed to win races and finish second in the championship. But a solid one-two like this means that for the season ahead we can fight for a world championship.”
Wolff also admitted that Ferrari’s pace during the race proved stronger than many expected and demonstrated that Mercedes will face genuine competition throughout the season.
“Before the race people said we would disappear into the distance, but that wasn’t the case,” Wolff explained.
“We know Ferrari are strong on starts and that’s exactly what happened. It was a real battle between Charles and George at the beginning.”
“At one stage it was even a three-way fight with the two Ferraris and George, and eventually Kimi joined the fight as well.”
Despite some concerns about how the new energy systems and overtaking modes might affect racing under the 2026 regulations, Wolff suggested the opening race delivered an entertaining spectacle and provided optimism for the rest of the season.
“The main feeling is that we have a real fight on our hands with Ferrari,” Wolff added.
“There was concern the racing might not be exciting with the boost and overtake modes, but it actually made the race quite interesting on a track that is very demanding for energy.”
With Mercedes returning to the top step in Melbourne, Wolff believes the team has rediscovered the confidence required to challenge for another championship, although Ferrari’s strong pace indicates that the title fight could remain closely contested as the season heads to the next round in Shanghai.
Baca Juga
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