Leclerc Takes Notice as Mercedes Abandons Secrecy Strategy at Australian GP
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has observed that Mercedes appears to be operating at genuine pace during free practice at the Australian Grand Prix, rather than deliberately hiding their capabilities as the team has historically done. While McLaren's Oscar Piastri topped the Friday timesheets, Leclerc was particularly struck by the W17's impressive long-run performance throughout the session.
The Mercedes team's approach to competitive balance has undergone a notable shift, at least according to Charles Leclerc's assessment of Friday's running in Melbourne. The Ferrari driver has identified what he sees as a departure from Mercedes' traditional practice of concealing their true performance level during free practice sessions.
Oscar Piastri's McLaren led the way on Friday at Albert Park, with the Australian driver clocking a best lap of 1m19.729s. Mercedes trailed by just two tenths of a second, courtesy of Kimi Antonelli's 1m19.943s effort in the W17. However, it wasn't the headline times that caught Leclerc's attention—rather, it was the Silver Arrows' extended running that genuinely impressed the Ferrari ace.
The long-run pace displayed by the Mercedes outfit throughout the session suggested to Leclerc that the team is no longer employing the subterfuge they've become famous for in recent years. This straightforward approach to Friday practice represents an interesting strategic evolution, even as the battle for supremacy continues to intensify across the 2026 season.
Original source
Motorsport.com
Related Regulations
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Full Regulation Text
Article B2.1.3
Free Practice Session Classification
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
Free Practice sessions are ranked based on each driver's fastest single lap time. The driver with the quickest lap gets first place, the second quickest gets second place, and so on down the grid.
- Classification is based solely on fastest lap time achieved during the session
- Drivers are ranked from fastest to slowest
- Only the single best lap for each driver counts toward the classification
- Free Practice results do not affect the actual race grid positions
Official FIA Text
Classification determined by fastest lap time set by each driver, with fastest in first position, second fastest in second position, and so on.
Article B2.1.1
Free Practice Sessions - Standard Format
Chapter: B2
In Simple Terms
On Friday, teams get two one-hour practice sessions (FP1 and FP2) with a 2-3 hour break between them to test their cars and strategies. If extra tire compounds are available, FP2 extends to 90 minutes. Saturday morning brings FP3, another one-hour session that must start at least 18 hours after FP2 ends.
- FP1 and FP2 are held on Friday, separated by 2-3 hours of downtime
- FP2 can be extended from 60 to 90 minutes if additional tire specifications are provided
- FP3 takes place on Saturday morning with a mandatory minimum 18-hour gap after FP2
- All three sessions are one hour each (or 1.5 hours for FP2 in specific conditions)
Official FIA Text
Two 1-hour free practice sessions (FP1, FP2) separated by 2-3 hours on first day. If additional tyre specs provided, FP2 extended to 1.5 hours. FP3 (1 hour) on second day, starting min 18 hours after FP2 end.
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