Ferrari's Strategy Decision

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has stated that the team has 'no regrets' over their strategy choice during the Australian Grand Prix. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished third and fourth, respectively, behind Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.

Vasseur explained that Ferrari didn't have the pace to beat Mercedes, regardless of their strategy decisions. 'The pace of Mercedes was better than us,' he said. 'When they pitted they were three, four tenths faster than us, and they kept this pace, all the stint.'

Initial Battle and Strategy

A superb start from Leclerc saw him take the lead from pole-sitter George Russell at the first corner. The two drivers exchanged the lead several times in the first nine laps as they adjusted to F1's new style of racing. However, their on-track battle was cut short by a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 13, when Mercedes pitted both drivers onto hard tyres and Ferrari kept Leclerc and Hamilton out.

Leclerc suggested that Ferrari wanted to wait for another Virtual Safety Car to pit, expecting a more attritional race. 'We knew that there were very high chances that this was not going to be the only VSC of the race, and so we thought that it was better for us to maybe wait for another one.'

Post-Race Reflections

Hamilton praised the team's performance, saying, 'I'm generally really proud of the team. They have done an amazing job to get the car to where it is.' He added that he was just two laps away from overtaking Leclerc and standing on the podium for the first time as a Ferrari driver.

The next Formula 1 race will be the Chinese Grand Prix, featuring the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season, live on Sky Sports F1.