Charles Leclerc saw Mercedes finally step on the gas during the second free practice in Melbourne. After Ferrari and Leclerc had dominated the first test session, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli were clearly above the Scuderia in FP2. Based on the test weeks in Bahrain, both teams already emerged as the strongest. Leclerc therefore expects a lot of opposition from Mercedes during the rest of the weekend in Australia.
Read more UPDATE: Video | Heavy crash for Antonelli in third free practice, qualifying at risk
After the tests in Bahrain, Leclerc already indicated that he did not fully trust Mercedes; he assumed that the Silver Arrows had not yet shown their full hand. During the second free practice at the Albert Park Circuit, he seemed to be proven right. Russell and Antonelli were indeed slower than Oscar Piastri, but made a big jump compared to the first practice session. “I think they at Mercedes are slowly showing what they can do,” he told the media present. “In the second free practice it became clear where we are still lacking compared to them. I don’t dare say how much speed they still have in reserve, but in terms of race pace they seem very strong.”
Read more FP3 Australian GP: Russell shows Mercedes’ true speed, steering problems for Verstappen
Yet both Mercedes drivers could not match Oscar Piastri. “Oscar’s fast lap was very impressive,” Leclerc also admitted. “Of course I can’t say what McLaren is doing internally with the cars. Maybe they tested different things, because Lando (Norris, ed.) was nowhere to be seen.” The Monegasque does not want to make any firm statements about the new balance of power. “It will be the first race with a completely new car, so there are still many question marks,” Leclerc emphasized. “I hope I’m going to be wrong and that we are much faster during qualifying, but for now Mercedes seems to be a step ahead. Then follow Red Bull, McLaren and us.”
Read more Relive Australian GP qualifying: Max Verstappen crash in Q1, Russell pole position
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