Lando Norris
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Mercedes’ devastating performance in Australian Grand Prix qualifying has underlined the superiority of the Silver Arrows power unit. It had long been expected that they would deliver the best engine, but not to this extent.
George Russell secured a pole position that never seemed in doubt, outpacing teammate Kimi Antonelli by just under three-tenths of a second. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, the ‘best of the rest’, was eight-tenths adrift of the benchmark.
There was hope that Ferrari could challenge Mercedes after an impressive performance in winter testing, but that is already fading after they qualified a distant fourth and seventh in Melbourne.
How long will Ferrari need to catch Mercedes?
New fuel compression ratio test could halve Mercedes advantage – but not wipe it out
Seventh-place qualifier Lewis Hamilton raised suspicions about Mercedes’ engine after qualifying, specifically their alleged use of a loophole in the fuel compression ratio regulations.
Hamilton says Mercedes are gaining two-tenths per sector – so six-tenths per lap – through superior engine power alone. It was estimated that the fuel compression trick would be worth 0.2 to 0.3 seconds in itself.
Rival teams have successfully voted through a new FIA test that will take place at every place from 1 June onwards (i.e. starting in Monaco). They believe Mercedes are exceeding the 16:1 limit through a method that is currently undetectable.
Max Verstappen called it
Did Mercedes' rivals show too much in testing?
Some reports suggest Mercedes have already passed the new inspection at their factory. Indeed, Auto Motor und Sport relay their confidence that ‘nothing will change’ this summer.
However, ‘opponents’ like Ferrari think it could halve their current advantage. If Mercedes were truly relaxed, then they wouldn’t have ‘fought hard to postpone this directive for as long as possible’.
Even then, Ferrari and co. acknowledge that they won’t ‘reach their goals’ and match the Mercedes powertrain until 2027 at the earliest.
Ferrari’s ‘exclusive’ contract with brake supplier is costing them performance
If Mercedes’ engine is giving them a six-tenth head start, then Ferrari still need to find another two-tenths to close the gap entirely.
According to F1 Insider’s Ralf Bach, Ferrari’s biggest weakness is currently the brakes. They have signed an ‘exclusive’ deal with suppliers Brembo that is costing them performance.
“Ferrari still have brake problems,” Bach explained. “I’ve been making a few calls and an insider told me that Ferrari’s biggest weakness is the brakes.
“They apparently have an exclusive contract with Brembo, and that seems to be a bit of a weak point. Ferrari has, I’m told, sacrificed a bit of performance.”
The current Albert Park layout features few significant stopping zones, so this apparent frailty could be a larger problem at upcoming races.
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