Ferrari demonstrated stronger race performance than qualifying suggested at the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, finishing third and fourth behind Mercedes' 1-2 — as detailed in our Mercedes dominance report. Team principal Fred Vasseur highlighted the result as more representative of the team's potential under new regulations, with Charles Leclerc briefly leading.
Following a tough qualifying where Charles Leclerc started fourth and Lewis Hamilton seventh — nearly a second off Mercedes' front-row lockout — Ferrari showed marked improvement in the race. Leclerc seized the lead at the start thanks to the 2026 rules' higher engine revs sans MGU-H, outperforming rivals amid battery issues for others.
Though strategy calls under virtual safety cars drew scrutiny (see our prior coverage), Leclerc held third after skipping a pit stop, with Hamilton fourth. Vasseur reflected positively: “The feeling is more positive... We were eight tenths off [in qualifying], but we recovered part of this today.” He stressed both cars competing at the front and the need for ongoing development amid a long upgrade list shared across teams.
Vasseur noted the narrow launch window's challenges but praised the race pace step over McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes. Looking to the Chinese Grand Prix's colder conditions and sprint format, he said: “It will be a completely different exercise. Let's see where we will be next week.”
