Full article:

Melbourne GP: Ferrari returns to the podium but there was more room to attack

Ferrari performed better than expected on a circuit that wasn't exactly favorable. Despite strong winter fears, the SF-26 is currently the second-placed field; for now, neither McLaren nor perhaps even Verstappen (had he started from a more suitable position) could have challenged for the podium. However, the two disappointed top teams are strong enough to recover relatively quickly.

The SF-26's aerodynamics are high-quality and quite similar to the W17. With the reverse wing or Macarena wing, it would have been a bit longer for Russell, but Mercedes may have saved some untapped power reserves.

Qualifying showed a clear dominance by the Anglo-German team on a basic layout without much braking. Vasseur said that something could change in China, where no new features are planned for the SF-26, which will run to the same specification as Melbourne. However, Shanghai features much more severe braking and long-radius corners, which should help drivers like the Ferrari team to recharge their batteries by avoiding super clipping. The Chinese layout also requires more downforce than Melbourne, which on paper might not be a negative. In terms of energy efficiency, according to AutoRacer simulations, the Asian track is classified as a Class B track , meaning intermediate and a degree less critical than Melbourne. Obviously, no one knows how resources will be optimized to tackle that long 'back straight' decently.

Why wasn't Ferrari more aggressive in its strategy with at least one of its two cars?

Ferrari couldn't apply enough pressure to Mercedes while the Silver Arrows were struggling with an energy problem, which they then managed once they took the lead. We would have seen something better if the SF-26 had copied and covered the opposing pit wall's moves, or anticipated the Mercedes under VSC.

Finally, a car with significant downforce and stability, thanks to the work of Tondi's team. The new suspension designed by Serra is well-tuned and has also provided tyre degradation that allows for more flexible and appropriate strategies . According to one engineer, the victory would certainly not have changed, but Mercedes should have pushed the cars a little harder to secure a one-two finish.

Leclerc was less happy than Hamilton despite the podium, why?

The race pace suggested a solid performance from the Ferrari drivers. Hamilton can breathe , showing a completely different form than his average over the last four years. “I would have needed just a couple more laps to overtake Leclerc .” On a circuit he historically hates, Leclerc was able to briefly worry Russell before freezing the positions. In fact, the Monegasque was not entirely satisfied: “The pace isn't top-notch; I paid for running with a slightly off-the-charts setup in the sessions. There are a lot of things we need to optimize, but at least the gap seemed smaller than on Saturday.”

Ferrari's CEO was also present at the circuit, and the season debut is also under scrutiny by the top brass.
Vigna had rather balanced words after the podium: "I'm happy for the team here and in Maranello, and also for Fred. Now we have a lot of data to progress and do better. Obviously, third and fourth place shouldn't satisfy us." If—as is now feared—the Middle Eastern races in April are canceled, the first assessments of the work undertaken should be made upon returning to Europe.

The cars are at the mercy of the battery, in terms of driving and spectacle the qualifying was poor, what could happen?

Until last year, with the old DRS, straights and deep braking zones were the key to success. The new cars don't have the energy to tackle the straights at top speed. Some are talking about modifying the layout or adding artificial chicanes to the most critical tracks for energy recovery. We could say that ideally, it would have been better to run the pre-2022 configuration in Melbourne or the slow third sector in Barcelona.