F1 | Vanzini speaks again after testing and reveals Mercedes’ advantage over Ferrari

Carlo Vanzini has returned to speak on his YouTube channel and shared his analysis of what emerged from Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, revealing what he believes is a clear Mercedes advantage over Ferrari ahead of the 2026 season opener.

After observing the Bahrain test from the outside, Carlo Vanzini reconnected with fans through his official YouTube channel, receiving strong support from Formula 1 enthusiasts. The Sky Sport commentator, as many will recall, had been forced to step away for a period in order to focus on his health, as he personally explained at the end of last season. His return therefore marked not only a sporting discussion about F1 testing, but also an emotional moment for those who follow his coverage closely.

Vanzini reveals Mercedes’ advantage over Ferrari

Now, with just a few weeks to go before the start of the 2026 Formula 1 season and the opening round in Melbourne, “Il Vanz” offered his verdict on the first on-track sessions of the year. His analysis focused in particular on the balance of power between Mercedes and Ferrari following the Bahrain pre-season test.

Speaking about the new technical regulations, Vanzini did not hide his doubts: “I don’t like the regulation itself. I like the cars, but I think they have put too much on the table. I don’t like the 50/50 split and I agree with Max Verstappen on everything regarding energy recovery. Formula 1 must be ‘full gas’, but a 70/30 split would have been better.”

With these remarks, the Italian voice of Formula 1 expressed concern about the direction taken by the 2026 rules, particularly the equal 50/50 distribution between internal combustion power and electrical energy. While appreciating the visual aspect of the new-generation cars, he suggested that the heavy emphasis on energy recovery systems could move the sport away from its traditional “full gas” identity.

Turning to what actually happened on track during the Bahrain test, Vanzini urged caution when assessing Ferrari’s performance level. “As for what happened on track, Ferrari haven’t won anything yet. They certainly did well throughout testing but, from what we understand, Mercedes have a three-tenths advantage over everyone. Maybe Charles Leclerc is right in saying that Mercedes hid their true pace very well. Ferrari did well to be more cautious than last year, even if we know that Charles speaks more with his eyes than with his words. And he seemed happy with what was done in Bahrain.”

According to Vanzini, Ferrari delivered a solid and consistent pre-season test, but that alone is not enough to declare them favourites. The key point emerging from his analysis is the suggestion that Mercedes may currently enjoy an advantage of around three tenths of a second over the rest of the field. If that performance gap proves accurate, it would give the Silver Arrows a significant edge heading into the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

Vanzini also referred to Charles Leclerc’s interpretation of events, hinting that Mercedes may have concealed part of their true potential during the Bahrain sessions. At the same time, he appreciated Ferrari’s more measured and cautious communication compared to last season, highlighting how Charles Leclerc often communicates his confidence through his body language rather than bold public statements. From Vanzini’s perspective, the Monegasque driver appeared genuinely satisfied with Ferrari’s work in Bahrain, which could be seen as an encouraging sign for the Scuderia ahead of the 2026 campaign.

Expanding his analysis to the broader competitive order, Vanzini outlined what he believes is the current hierarchy after testing. “So for now I would say Mercedes are ahead of everyone by three tenths, then Ferrari ahead of McLaren and Red Bull fourth. The surprise could be Alpine with the Mercedes engine, while Williams are struggling. As for Aston Martin, I think Newey has built such an extreme car that it will take time to get it sorted.”

Based on this provisional ranking, Mercedes lead the field with a measurable margin, followed by Ferrari in second place. McLaren would occupy third, while Red Bull would be fourth at this early stage of the season. Among the potential surprises of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Vanzini pointed to Alpine, now powered by a Mercedes engine, as a team that could exceed expectations.

On the other hand, Williams appear to be facing difficulties according to the impressions gathered during testing. Regarding Aston Martin, Carlo Vanzini suggested that Adrian Newey may have designed an extremely radical concept, one that could require time before its full potential is unlocked. An aggressive and innovative technical solution can deliver significant performance gains, but only once it has been fully understood and optimized on track.

As the countdown to the Australian Grand Prix continues, the debate surrounding the true pecking order in Formula 1 remains open. Pre-season testing in Bahrain always leaves room for interpretation, hidden performance and strategic sandbagging. However, if Mercedes truly hold a three-tenths advantage over Ferrari, as Carlo Vanzini suggested, the battle at the front of the 2026 Formula 1 championship could already have a clear early benchmark.