Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton expressed hope that Ferrari can challenge Mercedes more closely at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, following a strong start in Australia. The team finished third and fourth in Melbourne, trailing the Mercedes drivers. Both drivers highlighted ongoing development efforts to narrow the performance gap.
Ferrari entered the 2026 Formula 1 season with a promising double top-four finish at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Charles Leclerc started fourth on the grid but led the early stages before settling for third place behind the two Mercedes cars. Lewis Hamilton followed in fourth, having challenged race winner George Russell.
Leclerc acknowledged Mercedes' significant qualifying advantage, noting an eight-tenths gap in Melbourne. "In Qualifying, it’s going to take a lot of work in order to change the advantage that they have. Eight tenths in Melbourne was absolutely huge," he said. However, he pointed out closer race pace and optimism for improvement. "There are things we are optimising that we haven’t optimised in Melbourne, so it will get better... In the race [conditions], we are closer, so I hope that starting from this weekend we can put them under a bit more pressure."
The upcoming Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit features a Sprint format, adding complexity. Leclerc described the preparation as "double the work," emphasizing the importance of a strong first practice session. "It’s going to be very important to do a good job during FP1 and to be ready in Sprint Qualifying."
Hamilton remained upbeat, reflecting on extra pre-season testing and discoveries during the Australian race. "We knew that Mercedes were looking really strong... but not an impossible gap to close. It’s just going to take all hands on deck, and I’m confident in my team doing absolutely everything back at the factory to try and close that gap."
He cautioned that adding performance in just four days was unrealistic. "I think it will still be very tough to beat the Mercedes this weekend." Ferrari's team principal, Fred Vasseur, had shifted focus to the 2026 car last April, a decision that appears to have positioned the team as the second-best on the grid after Australia, improving from last year's rain-affected performance where they scored only five points.
Both drivers stressed focusing on maximizing the car's potential amid competition from teams like McLaren and Red Bull.
