Leclerc Warns Mercedes Appears "A Step Ahead" After Australian GP Practice

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has identified Mercedes as the team holding a potential early-season advantage, pointing to their strong long-run pace during Friday practice for the Australian Grand Prix. Despite not topping the timesheets, the Silver Arrows' race simulation performance has caught the attention of their rivals, with Leclerc suggesting they are currently a step ahead of Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari.

Why it matters:

In a season defined by new technical regulations, the initial pecking order is crucial for setting team expectations and development trajectories. Leclerc's candid assessment, based on race-pace data from the first true long runs of the year, provides an early signal that Mercedes may have solved some of the issues that plagued them in recent seasons, potentially reshaping the fight at the front.

The details:

• Leclerc led FP1 and observed Mercedes showing more of their hand in FP2, noting a particular deficit in race pace compared to the Brackley-based team.
• He expressed uncertainty about Mercedes' one-lap qualifying potential but was clear about their strength over a stint: "In the race pace, they seem to be very strong compared to us."
• While McLaren's Oscar Piastri set the fastest time in FP2, Leclerc speculated the team might have been running different programs, as teammate Lando Norris was significantly farther down the order.
• The Ferrari driver emphasized that long-run practice data offers a "better picture" of true performance than single-lap speed, especially at the first race with a brand-new car.

What's next:

All eyes turn to Saturday's qualifying session, which will reveal the one-lap pecking order and confirm or contradict Leclerc's race-pace observations. Leclerc himself hopes his analysis is wrong, stating, "I hope I'm wrong and that we are much faster tomorrow." However, if his prediction holds, Mercedes could emerge from the opening round as the early-season benchmark, putting immediate pressure on Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren to respond.