Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton took advantage of a more compact turbo to achieve particularly effective starts and quickly position themselves at the front: a masterstroke by the Scuderia?
While media attention during the pre-season had focused on the trick related to the compression ratio of Mercedes, Ferrari engineers also seem to have developed a notable innovation in their power unit for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
During the second winter test in Bahrain, George Russell had already drawn attention to the Ferrari engine: the British driver mentioned the possibility that the Italian team was using a smaller turbo to reduce the time needed for the engine to reach its full power at the start.
Red rockets
This theory seems to have found initial confirmation in Australia: starting fourth on the grid, Leclerc propelled himself into the lead from the first corner thanks to a particularly sharp start (photo above), as did Lewis Hamilton behind him.
An intense duel then ensued between Russell and Leclerc, but the intervention of a virtual safety car interrupted their battle on track. The two drivers, both still seeking their first world title, then no longer had the opportunity to directly fight for the victory.
Ultimately, a questionable strategy from Ferrari allowed Mercedes to turn the situation around and secure a one-two finish, with Russell leading under the checkered flag.
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Former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya had, in fact, anticipated Mercedes’ dominance during this opening round, believing that the German team had deliberately masked its true potential during winter testing.
Montoya warns Mercedes
Asked about Ferrari’s more compact turbo and Mercedes’ trickier starts, Montoya explained that this type of configuration could be difficult to optimize.
According to him, Mercedes will have to find a balance between power and traction: increasing the power risks causing more wheel spin, while Ferrari currently seems to better exploit traction at the start.
Montoya also recalled a historical example: back when he was racing in Formula 1, Renault engines often allowed Fernando Alonso to make spectacular starts, sometimes impossible for his opponents to counter.
For the former Colombian driver, Mercedes will likely progress throughout the season, but he remains skeptical about their ability to match Ferrari’s efficiency in this specific exercise, an asset that could prove decisive on certain circuits.
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