Formula 1 heads to Australia, and Arturo Merzario is backing Ferrari: they will be victorious, but watch out for tensions between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. The first round of the championship is approaching, with the lights going out at 5:00 AM Central European Standard Time on Sunday, March 16. The risk of rain remains high, which could heavily influence the natural course of the Grand Prix.
The paddock is now in full swing. Just a couple more days, and the cars will hit the asphalt of Albert Park for the first time in this new and exciting season. There are countless talking points: the debut of many rookies, including Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli; Lando Norris’s test of maturity at McLaren; and the all-Red duel at Ferrari.
It is precisely from Maranello that Arturo Merzario begins his careful analysis, speaking in an interview with Italian journalist Mario Salvini for newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport. Unlike other observers, the experienced former Formula 1 driver highlights potential tensions between Hamilton (who, along with Max Verstappen, “has something more than the others”) and Ferrari’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc, who will have to “avoid being influenced and stay cautious.”
Australia, Ferrari territory: Charles Leclerc immediately up against Lewis Hamilton
“In Melbourne, I even think [Ferrari] could be ahead of everyone,” explains Arturo Merzario. “But it won’t be an absolute value: it’s a very particular GP on an atypical circuit. The real balance will be seen on true tracks. And it will be very interesting.” – the former Ferrari driver pointed out.
The focus immediately shifts to the Lewis Hamilton – Charles Leclerc pairing, as the Monegasque driver will have to face a seven-time Formula 1 world champion starting with the 2025 season: “Last year, Hamilton was a bit hesitant because he knew he was leaving, the team wasn’t competitive enough to win, and they had obviously already placed their bets on George Russell. This year, that won’t be the case. There will be a whole range of attentions around him, which will inevitably translate into advantages, whether by necessity or simply to justify his arrival. ” – the Italian racing driver and motorsport executive explained.
“That’s why everything will be very difficult for Leclerc. He will have to be very good at not letting himself be influenced and, even more so, at maintaining balance. Certain situations might lead him to take more risks than usual. He will have to be careful and do so only when necessary. He must stay calm and seize every opportunity to do better than Lewis.” – concluded Arturo Merzario, who raced in Formula One from 1972 to 1979.
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