2026 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 06 - 08

[AR3-GP]

I don't think Mercedes was using overtake mode in their hotlaps

I don't think teams would use overtake mode in the hot laps. They are only allowed 7MJ in qualifying.

[johnnycesup]

I don't think Mercedes was using overtake mode in their hotlaps

I don't think teams would use overtake mode in the hot laps. They are only allowed 7MJ in qualifying.

Can they reach 330kph at the middle of the back straight without overtake mode?

[AR3-GP]

I don't think Mercedes was using overtake mode in their hotlaps

I don't think teams would use overtake mode in the hot laps. They are only allowed 7MJ in qualifying.

Can they reach 330kph at the middle of the back straight without overtake mode?

If there is 4MJ in the battery before the back straight, I don't see why not? Do you think the power cut is too much in the normal mode? I haven't done any math.

[gearboxtrouble]

Mercedes weren't the only ones running with the engine turned down. The Red Bulls were as slow in the speed traps but Lindblad did show the potential of that engine by blitzing everyone else down the main straight on his fast lap.

[johnnycesup]

If there is 4MJ in the battery before the back straight, I don't see why not? Do you think the power cut is too much in the normal mode? I haven't done any math.

I haven't done the math either, but the acceleration out of T6 in most cars outside of Mercedes is pretty incredible. Comparing with the 2025 pole lap, Leclerc min speed at t6 is 29kph slower (240kph vs 211kph), but by the time he reaches 324kph, last years pole lap is at 310kph. 60% larger acceleration, I don't think normal mode can do that

Besides, in Russell's fastest lap, he seems to accelerate around as quickly as Leclerc until he reaches 290kph, which is the point where the normal mode starts reducing electrical power.

EDIT: Lindblad's acceleration out of T6 is even more impressive than Leclercs

[AR3-GP]

If there is 4MJ in the battery before the back straight, I don't see why not? Do you think the power cut is too much in the normal mode? I haven't done any math.

I haven't done the math either, but the acceleration out of T6 in most cars outside of Mercedes is pretty incredible. Comparing with the 2025 pole lap, Leclerc min speed at t6 is 29kph slower (240kph vs 211kph), but by the time he reaches 324kph, last years pole lap is at 310kph. 60% larger acceleration, I don't think normal mode can do that

Besides, in Russell's fastest lap, he seems to accelerate around as quickly as Leclerc until he reaches 290kph, which is the point where the normal mode starts reducing electrical power.

EDIT: Lindblad's acceleration out of T6 is even more impressive than Leclercs

If true that they used overtake mode, then the onboards will be even worse than I thought come qualy

[venkyhere]

If there is 4MJ in the battery before the back straight, I don't see why not? Do you think the power cut is too much in the normal mode? I haven't done any math.

I haven't done the math either, but the acceleration out of T6 in most cars outside of Mercedes is pretty incredible. Comparing with the 2025 pole lap, Leclerc min speed at t6 is 29kph slower (240kph vs 211kph), but by the time he reaches 324kph, last years pole lap is at 310kph. 60% larger acceleration, I don't think normal mode can do that

Besides, in Russell's fastest lap, he seems to accelerate around as quickly as Leclerc until he reaches 290kph, which is the point where the normal mode starts reducing electrical power.

EDIT: Lindblad's acceleration out of T6 is even more impressive than Leclercs

Have you taken into account the lesser weight and the lower drag of these 2026 cars vis-a-vis the 2025 ones ?

[venkyhere]

Really impressed by Audi.
Surprised to not see the likes of Alpine & Williams in the upper-midfield (where we see Haas, Racing Bulls & Audi instead). Piastri didn't look good either. Are all Mercedes engined teams running with lower engine modes ?

[AR3-GP]

The Merc PU has arrived...

[upsidedowntoast]

Ah ok I think they've finally dropped the sandbags

[Explodeee]

HAM only 0.6 off Russell on old hards and i think still without a pit stop? That's impressive

[NoDivergence]

HAM only 0.6 off Russell on old hards and i think still without a pit stop? That's impressive

Agreed, those hards had like 15+ laps on them and five push laps

[AR3-GP]

HAM only 0.6 off Russell on old hards and i think still without a pit stop? That's impressive

The other way to look at it is Merc should be much faster on softs, and have chosen not to be...

[BorisTheBlade]

So far, Alpine is a big disappointment. Williams sadly was to be expected.

[ali623]

Mercedes race sims were on another planet. Russell was running mid to low 23s compared to Hamilton in the mid 24s on the same tyre.