2026 Australian GP FP1: Ferrari leads the way as Leclerc and Hamilton top the timesheets. Ferrari makes a strong start to the 2026 Formula 1 season in Australian GP FP1.

Ferrari began the first free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix on the right foot, with Charles Leclerc setting the fastest time and Lewis Hamilton finishing second. Here is a detailed look at the work carried out by Ferrari during the opening session of the 2026 Formula 1 season and the early impressions left by the new SF-26.

The 2026 Formula 1 season has officially begun with the FP1 session of the Australian Grand Prix. At the end of the first practice hour in Melbourne, Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets with a lap of 1:20.267, while Lewis Hamilton finished second, 0.469 seconds behind his teammate. The session offered the first real opportunity to observe Ferrari’s work on track and evaluate the early feedback emerging from the SF-26.

Ferrari arrived at the opening race weekend of the season with additional updates on the SF-26, even though many of these changes are not immediately visible to the naked eye. As always in the first event of a new championship, the main objective is to maximize the result available while collecting as much data as possible. Making predictions at this stage is extremely difficult, especially considering that the 2026 season marks the introduction of an entirely new technical regulation. At the moment, no team truly knows the real potential of the cars on track. In many ways, this race marks the beginning of a completely new era for Formula 1, with Ferrari hoping to play a major role at the front.

A convincing Ferrari in the opening FP1 session

Ferrari’s work program began with the medium compound tyres for both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. From the very first laps, the phenomenon known as “super-clipping” was noticeable in the second sector. This is a strategy used to accumulate electrical energy when the car reaches maximum speed on the straights. In practical terms, once a certain top speed is reached on the straight, the speed plateau occurs. This allows the system to preserve energy so that it can be used effectively throughout the entire lap. Without this management approach, it would be impossible to maintain the necessary energy deployment across the full circuit.

During the opening laps of the session, Ferrari experimented with different energy management phases in order to achieve the most efficient power delivery during a qualifying-style lap. Another important aspect to note was the impressive balance shown by the SF-26 on track. The car appeared stable and predictable, highlighting the quality of the setup work carried out by Ferrari’s mechanics and engineers. The first stint lasted around fifteen laps for both Ferrari drivers, allowing them to gather valuable data about tyre behavior, energy deployment, and overall car balance.

The session then continued with runs on the soft compound tyres. Once again, the overall balance of the car appeared very positive. Charles Leclerc immediately looked comfortable behind the wheel, and after his first flying lap attempt he moved straight to the top of the timing screens. Lewis Hamilton, however, encountered a few more difficulties managing the throttle application throughout the lap. The British driver repeatedly asked the pit wall for feedback in an attempt to find the right balance and improve the car’s response.

Eventually, the advice from the Ferrari engineers seemed to help the seven-time world champion. During the following attempts, Hamilton managed to set the fastest lap time of the session. Toward the end of FP1, Charles Leclerc returned to the track and completed another flying lap, setting an even stronger benchmark. Impressively, the Monegasque driver finished five tenths of a second ahead of his teammate despite running on tyres that already had fourteen laps of usage.

Could Ferrari be the early benchmark in Australia?

At this stage, drawing any firm conclusions about the competitive order of the teams is still impossible. Even during this first free practice session, none of the major teams appeared willing to fully reveal their true performance potential. Mercedes in particular seemed to keep a very low profile, showing very little of its real pace and providing almost no clear reference points.

A similar situation could be seen at McLaren, although their limited running was partly due to technical issues. Lando Norris, for example, completed very few laps during the session, meaning that the British team’s real pace remains largely unknown. Ferrari and Red Bull appeared to be the teams that showed the most during FP1, but it would still be unrealistic to consider either of them as the clear leaders of the field based solely on the opening session.

Overall, however, the start of the weekend for the Scuderia from Maranello can certainly be considered positive. One of the most encouraging aspects was the drivability of the SF-26, which appeared well-balanced and predictable throughout the session. Another key point is that both Ferrari cars completed their programs without experiencing any reliability issues—an important factor given that the championship is beginning under completely new technical regulations.

The early signs therefore appear promising for Ferrari, although it remains unclear just how competitive the Modena-built car will ultimately be. One impression emerging from the session is that the teams capable of managing energy deployment most effectively throughout the lap may gain a significant advantage on a circuit where energy management plays such a crucial role.

The next session will provide a clearer picture of the competitive order. For now, the focus shifts to the upcoming practice run scheduled for 6:00, when teams and fans alike hope to gain a better understanding of the true performance of the 2026 Formula 1 field.