Ferrari shows promising pace in Australia, but team radio conversations raise questions
The opening Friday of the new Formula 1 season delivered several interesting early indications for Ferrari. The new SF-26 appeared solid and competitive during the first free practice sessions of the Australian Grand Prix, offering encouraging signs about the technical foundation of the car for the remainder of the race weekend. However, Lewis Hamilton once again displayed a particularly direct tone with his race engineer during the team radio exchanges in Melbourne.
At the Albert Park circuit, though, discussions were not limited to lap times and performance data. Significant attention was also focused on the new balance inside the Ferrari garage, particularly the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and his interim race engineer Carlo Santi, who has been temporarily appointed to replace Riccardo Adami following the tensions that emerged during the previous Formula 1 season.
Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc also experienced moments of frustration during his on-track work, venting over the radio with his race engineer Bryan Bozzi. Such reactions are not unusual during a Friday practice session, but they nonetheless underline how much development work still needs to be completed on the brand-new Ferrari SF-26.
Hamilton asks Carlo Santi for more detailed radio feedback
One of the most closely watched aspects of the Australian Grand Prix weekend was the communication between Lewis Hamilton and Carlo Santi. The British driver is well known for being extremely demanding when it comes to radio exchanges and often relies on detailed feedback throughout every stage of a lap in order to refine his driving approach.
Already during the first free practice session, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion asked his engineer to provide more precise information. “I need more feedback on where those four tenths are,” Hamilton said over team radio during one of his runs.
Santi initially replied by pointing to a loss of lap time in the opening sector, but the British Ferrari driver continued to request more specific clarification regarding the exact nature of the issue. “I understand the two tenths, but where is that power limit?” the Ferrari driver insisted.
When the response remained rather general, Hamilton once again emphasized the need for clearer guidance that could help him adjust his driving immediately. “This doesn’t help me. Is it the exit or is it the apex? Give me some feedback,” the Briton added, illustrating how crucial precise information is for him when trying to adapt his driving style in real time.
This style of communication closely resembles the working relationship Hamilton had built over many years with his long-time Mercedes race engineer, Peter Bonnington, with whom he developed an extremely detailed and efficient radio dialogue.
Michel-Grosjean observes from the Ferrari garage
Adding another layer of interest to the situation was the presence inside the Ferrari garage of Cedric Michel-Grosjean, an engineer who previously worked for McLaren and who has recently completed his gardening leave period.
The French technician is widely considered to be one of the leading candidates to eventually become Lewis Hamilton’s full-time race engineer at Ferrari. At this stage, however, no official decision has been announced. Nevertheless, his appearance in the Ferrari garage in Melbourne has inevitably fueled speculation about a possible future change on the pit wall.
Any final decision could potentially arrive after the opening triple-header of the Formula 1 season, especially given the extremely demanding calendar that characterizes the first weeks of the championship.
Leclerc also voices frustration over the radio
Friday was not entirely calm for Charles Leclerc either. During one phase of the practice sessions, the Monegasque driver expressed his frustration over the radio while speaking with his race engineer Bryan Bozzi, showing irritation about certain aspects related to visibility and mirror management.
“Damn it,” was the Ferrari driver’s outburst as he attempted to complete his planned program of work on track.
Situations like this are relatively common during the opening sessions of a new Formula 1 season, particularly when teams are still learning the behavior of a completely new car such as the Ferrari SF-26. Early practice sessions often reveal small operational issues and communication adjustments that must be refined as drivers and engineers continue to build their working rhythm together.
