2026 Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne, March 06 - 08

[matt_b]

Wait why did Lando come in? He tyres are the same life as the Mercedes

His front left was very bad and his pace was falling off. I would have waited as well to maybe get some lucky SC/VSC but everyone ahead of him would pit as well so not a huge chance of going ahead.

Ok thanks, will be interesting to see if Mercedes can hold on for another 20 laps, I think they will but its something to watch for I guess.

[Matt2725]

Russell is still setting personal best sectors.

[upsidedowntoast]

despite everything i think the racing is ok. ferrari good starts means even the overall stronger mercs have to work to overtake, which will be harder at the more energy dense circuits.

plus everyone will close the gap as they figure out deployment + rb/mcl shed weight

[matt_b]

Yeah its done, time for sleep, it was excisting until the VSC though I'll give them that

[F1NAC]

Russell is still setting personal best sectors.

Nah, they’ll go til the end. Easy1-2

[FittingMechanics]

despite everything i think the racing is ok. ferrari good starts means even the overall stronger mercs have to work to overtake, which will be harder at the more energy dense circuits.

plus everyone will close the gap as they figure out deployment + rb/mcl shed weight

Without Ferrari strategy mistake this would have been much closer. A shame really.

[Juzh]

That first vsc and ferrari not pitting killed the race

[upsidedowntoast]

russell might need to pit again, we'll see

[Matt2725]

Russell is still setting personal best sectors.

Nah, they’ll go til the end. Easy1-2

Yeah that's what I was getting at. He seems confident enough to keep pace up and still make it to the end.

[F1subman25]

Classic Ferrari snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

[vanburin]

despite everything i think the racing is ok. ferrari good starts means even the overall stronger mercs have to work to overtake, which will be harder at the more energy dense circuits.

plus everyone will close the gap as they figure out deployment + rb/mcl shed weight

Without Ferrari strategy mistake this would have been much closer. A shame really.

I don't know about that. The main reason Ferrari right now is able to match Mercedes laptimes is the significant tyre offset.

That Merc is strong.

[FrukostScones]

evry sane person would have at least pitted HAM in reaction to Russel, they had 90 seconds or more to figure out a strategy and came up with this crap. Probably they only care for LEC as we seen later when they did pit HAM when it wa overripe. sad!

[Schippke]

Commentators trying to make it interesting regarding Ferrari having a shot at Mercedes by the end.

Meanwhile, notice Charles has been falling further behind Antonelli ever since he pitted… was rooms 6.8 seconds, now 9.4 (even though I know there was a one lap where Charles lost a bit of time).

Even if Ferrari pitted with VSC at the start, result might’ve ended up being the same… Mercedes has a lot of pace in hand.

[vanburin]

Commentators trying to make it interesting regarding Ferrari having a shot at Mercedes by the end.

Meanwhile, notice Charles has been falling further behind Antonelli ever since he pitted… was rooms 6.8 seconds, now 9.4 (even though I know there was a one lap where Charles lost a bit of time).

Even if Ferrari pitted with VSC at the start, result might’ve ended up being the same… Mercedes has a lot of pace in hand.

This is the reality. The Mercedes are both now lapping mid to high 22s, same as Ferrari, on tyres that are 15 or so laps older.

[bluechris]

Commentators trying to make it interesting regarding Ferrari having a shot at Mercedes by the end.

Meanwhile, notice Charles has been falling further behind Antonelli ever since he pitted… was rooms 6.8 seconds, now 9.4 (even though I know there was a one lap where Charles lost a bit of time).

Even if Ferrari pitted with VSC at the start, result might’ve ended up being the same… Mercedes has a lot of pace in hand.

This is the reality. The Mercedes are both now lapping mid to high 22s, same as Ferrari, on tyres that are 15 or so laps older.

Yeah there was no point, for this race at least. Its just if they had MB's behind then they could affect their tyre usage at least.