Under the blazing Melbourne sun, Scuderia Ferrari HP opened its 2026 campaign with determination and points on the board. Charles Leclerc claimed third place, Lewis Hamilton followed in fourth, and together they delivered a solid 27-point haul that sets the tone for the year ahead.
Both Ferraris launched perfectly off the line—Leclerc storming into the lead at Turn 1, Hamilton climbing to third by the end of sector one. What followed was pure racing drama: Leclerc and George Russell locked in a fierce duel, swapping positions lap after lap until a Virtual Safety Car on lap 12 reshuffled strategies.
Mercedes gambled early, Ferrari stayed disciplined. Leclerc pitted on lap 25 for Hard tires, Hamilton three laps later. From then on, the red cars ran in formation—third and fourth—executing a clean, consistent race to the flag.
Charles Leclerc (#16)
“The start was strong and those first laps were intense. Managing energy, tires, overtakes—it was a lot, but I’m happy with how I handled it.
We didn’t have the pace to stay ahead, but we learned plenty. Development is key now, and we’ll push hard to close the gap before China.”
Lewis Hamilton (#44)
“I felt switched on from lap one. We squeezed everything out of the car today and adapted as the race unfolded. There’s still work to do, but it’s clear we’re in the fight.
We’ll stay sharp, stay grounded, and keep building.”
Fred Vasseur, Team Principal
“That was a proper race—ten laps of pure excitement at the start, some of the best we’ve seen in years. Third and fourth was the maximum today, given the performance gap we saw in qualifying. Strategy-wise, we stuck to our plan. Tire life surprised everyone, and the second VSC timing wasn’t in our favor. Still, we know exactly where we need to improve, and that’s encouraging for the long season ahead.”
Next stop: Shanghai.
The Chinese Grand Prix brings the first Sprint weekend of the year. Ferrari leaves Melbourne with confidence, clarity, and determination—ready to turn lessons learned into progress.
Filipino fans can catch every moment of the 2026 Formula 1 season live and in high definition with beIN SPORTS, the exclusive broadcaster of Formula 1 in the Philippines through 2030. From practice sessions to qualifying, Sprint events, and every Grand Prix, beIN SPORTS brings the full experience straight to your screens.
And for those who love the thrill of watching together, beIN SPORTS hosted the official F1 watch party at Monza Barcade in Pasig, turning race day into a celebration of speed, community, and passion.