Mercedes Shows Strong Long-Run Pace in Australian GP Practice
Mercedes displayed formidable long-run speed in Australian GP practice, establishing itself as the early race-day favorite. While McLaren set the fastest lap, Ferrari and Red Bull face deficits, Aston Martin battles severe reliability issues, and new team Audi impressed in its competitive debut.
Mercedes emerged from Friday's practice sessions for the Australian Grand Prix with the strongest long-run pace, setting an early benchmark as Aston Martin's crisis deepened and new entrant Audi showed promising signs of scoring points. While McLaren's Oscar Piastri set the fastest single lap, expert analysis suggests the Silver Arrows hold a crucial race-pace advantage heading into the weekend.
Why it matters:
The first day of running in Melbourne offers the clearest indication yet of the 2026 pecking order in race trim. Mercedes' apparent strength in long-run simulations, a critical indicator for Sunday's race, puts immediate pressure on rivals McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull to find answers overnight. Meanwhile, Aston Martin's dire reliability issues threaten their very participation, highlighting the brutal competitive reality of the new regulations.
The details:
- Mercedes' Strength: Data and expert analysis point to Mercedes having a significant edge in race-simulation runs. George Russell was reportedly four-tenths faster than teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli in their long runs, with some observers noting the team may have even lifted early in the final sector on their hot laps.
- Ferrari's Pace & Problem: Ferrari appears to be a clear part of the leading group, with both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton roughly six-tenths off Mercedes' long-run pace. However, the team is still grappling with brake issues, evidenced by minor lock-ups from both drivers during practice.
- Red Bull's Complicated Day: Max Verstappen endured a difficult Friday, experiencing a power unit issue leaving the pits and later damaging his floor in a trip through the gravel. His long-run pace was concerning, reportedly eight-tenths slower than Russell's, compounded by logistical challenges in getting spare parts to Melbourne.
- McLaren's Potential: Despite Piastri setting the day's fastest lap, the team's long-run pace was over a second off Mercedes. However, with Lando Norris hampered by a clutch issue in FP1, the team believes there is more performance to unlock.
- Aston Martin's Crisis: The situation at Aston Martin is described as "disastrous." Vibration-induced battery failures have crippled their program, with only two of four brought batteries functioning. The team completed minimal laps, and simply finishing the race distance is now in serious doubt.
- Audi's Solid Debut: The new Audi works team had a clean and respectable first day, positioned alongside Racing Bulls in the fight for the final points positions. Nico Hülkenberg completed many laps reliably, though the car's chassis is not yet developed enough to challenge further up.
What's next:
All eyes will be on whether Mercedes can convert its practice pace into pole position in qualifying and, more importantly, a race victory. Ferrari and Red Bull have urgent work to do to close the race-pace gap, while McLaren will aim to realize its single-lap potential. For Aston Martin, the goal is survival, and for Audi, a points finish would mark a successful debut. Saturday's final practice and qualifying will reveal if the Friday hierarchy holds firm.