The 2026 Formula 1 season has finally kicked off, bringing with it numerous storylines to follow. Drivers now face multiple modes to manage during a lap, and fans are eager to discover the emerging hierarchy among the teams. The opening race at Albert Park is not only the first Grand Prix of the season for the drivers and teams but also for us, as we aim to provide the most accurate updates on the state of the grid for our readers.
Alongside the cars, the tires have also changed, introducing an additional layer of uncertainty as the championship begins. So, what can we report in this FP2 race pace analysis? For our part, there is still some fine-tuning to do. The figures we are presenting here might be completely overturned by Sunday (or maybe not—who knows?), but for now, this is the situation on track.
Race pace table and chart – first references of 2026
FP2, particularly when looking at times set in qualifying simulation runs, has shown a shift in the balance of performance compared to FP1. While the first session was dominated by a Ferrari-Red Bull duel, the second session saw McLaren and Mercedes making noticeable progress. There are reports that Mercedes might have been running with engine restrictions to prevent mechanical issues. Observing the times produced by Antonelli, and especially George Russell, one can only say: thank goodness!
The table and chart below leave little room for interpretation. (Lando Norris has been excluded because, even though he completed a long run, it cannot be considered indicative for race pace analysis. His best laps during that run coincide with his qualifying simulation reference. On a different program, the reigning world champion might have fared differently against the other competitors.)
Mercedes looks exceptionally strong at this stage. Ferrari and Red Bull, however, have not completed a comparable number of laps to the work done by Russell and Antonelli. This, for now, is the hope that will carry us through to the Australian GP. In the table, you will also find the tires used: Hard C3, Medium C4, and Soft C5.
Friday’s long runs at Albert Park have highlighted George Russell’s Mercedes as the early benchmark for the 2026 season, showing a level of consistency that currently eludes Ferrari and Red Bull. While the true fuel loads and engine mappings remain a mystery, the sheer rhythm displayed by the W17 suggests that the fight for the first win of this new era may go through Brackley.
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