Lewis Hamilton is buzzing with optimism, declaring that Ferrari will be genuine contenders in the world championship battle against Mercedes following the season opener in Australia. The Melbourne race saw Mercedes’ George Russell clinch victory, with his teammate Kimi Antonelli securing second place. However, Ferrari managed a strong third and fourth, courtesy of Charles Leclerc and Hamilton, showcasing impressive early season form.
Both Ferrari drivers made superb starts, propelling themselves into contention. Leclerc climbed to first and Hamilton to third, and for the opening 12 laps, they were firmly in the mix at the front of the field with Russell.
Ferrari’s Promising Pace and Strategic Ponderings
While Mercedes ultimately took the win, capitalising on a virtual safety car period for a “cheap” pit stop, Ferrari’s pace was undeniable. The Italian outfit demonstrated a significant step forward, and a revitalised Hamilton expressed confidence in their ability to close the gap.
“The team did a great job overall,” Hamilton commented. “There are lots of positives to take. A couple more laps and I would have had Charles, so I know we can be fighting for podiums. We’re not as fast as Mercedes but we’re right in the fight. We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch them but it’s not impossible.”
After a challenging debut year with Ferrari in 2025, which Hamilton described as a “nightmare” season where he failed to secure a single podium for the first time in his career, he has reset over the winter. Returning with renewed enthusiasm, Hamilton found the new regulations more to his liking, and the Melbourne performance provided a strong opening. He acknowledged that the team would be scrutinising their strategic decisions from the race.
“I feel great,” Hamilton stated. “We got a third and fourth and ultimately Mercedes were quicker than us. We need to see if stopping would have been better. I definitely thought we should have come in or, at least one of us, to cover the Mercedes. We will look to see what we can do better.”
Mercedes Acknowledges the Ferrari Threat
Mercedes had anticipated being the dominant force this season and indeed held an advantage when running in clear air. However, Hamilton’s fastest 10 laps were comparable to Antonelli’s, and Mercedes’ team principal, Toto Wolff, conceded that Ferrari posed a genuine threat.
“It was a three-way fight at a certain stage between the two Ferraris and George, and eventually Kimi caught up,” Wolff remarked. “The race pace at the end was very encouraging from our side, but at the beginning, there was nothing between Ferrari and Mercedes. For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a fight on our hands with Ferrari.”
Ferrari’s team principal, Frédéric Vasseur, echoed Hamilton’s sentiment, believing his team could bridge the performance gap to Mercedes. “It’s good to have two cars fighting at the top,” the Frenchman said. “We know that we have a very long list of improvements but it’s good for us. The result of the season will be based on the capacity that we have to develop, to bring upgrades, to produce quickly.”
Vasseur emphasised the importance of ongoing development, stating, “This will be key for the season for everybody on the grid. I prefer to start the season in a good shape than in a bad shape, but it’s still a long way to go.”
Piastri’s Home Race Heartbreak and Resilience
The Australian Grand Prix also brought disappointment for local hero Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver suffered a devastating crash on the formation lap, ruling him out of his home race before it had even begun. His team principal, Andrea Stella, expressed his support and confidence in Piastri’s ability to bounce back.
Piastri was en route to the grid approximately 40 minutes before the start when he clipped a kerb at turn four, sending him into the wall and causing significant damage to his car. Factors contributing to the incident included cold tyres, a lack of grip on the kerb, and an unexpected surge in power after a gear shift, a characteristic that can be influenced by the behaviour of the new generation of F1 cars.
Piastri took full responsibility for the mishap. Stella assured that the young Australian is a mentally tough individual and will use the experience to fuel his determination for the upcoming rounds.
“Very unfortunate,” Stella said. “Definitely a tough moment for him in front of the Australian crowd. Oscar is a very tough guy mentally. He will use all this to get even more concentrated and determined starting from China. We will make sure that we all face this in a united way. We are a team in any situation that may involve any of our team.”
