Why Ferrari can beat Red Bull in Australia

Ahead of a record Friday crowd of 124,000 around Albert Park, the Red Bull driver was attacked during the first two free sessions. His friend Lando Norris's McLaren during the first session, then nearly four-tenths by Charles Leclerc's Ferrari in FP2.

Australian F1 GP: Ferrari and Leclerc advantage during first free practice

Minor tire wear

The second session started twenty-five minutes late with the Belgian-Dutch rider having to replace his RB20's flat bottom following a slightly high ride on a curb. Non-operating can no doubt partly explain this unusual gap. But that's not all.

The Ferraris seem to be running significantly more stable than in 2023, at a track where the tires are worn so low that second or third lap times can be set on the new tyres.

Max Verstappen: 'I want to stay with Red Bull until the end'

Winning three times in its last five appearances in Australia (compared to just one win at Red Bull since 2011, with Max last year), the Scuderia has always done well in Melbourne, where Charles Leclerc won two years ago. So this is a great opportunity. Averaging two-tenths a lap at the start of the season, Prancing Horse can further reduce the gap in qualifying, but above all the race will be more competitive in the long run. Just give the fans hope.

“I don't see Max winning all the GPs this yearHelmut Marko, head of the Red Bull sector, from which young Jake Doohan (Alpine Reserve), Zach Maloney (leader of the F2 Championship) and Dennis Hagar were on pole in F2 yesterday, recently fired as Jetta's star for F1. Oliver Pearman, making his Ferrari debut, had to continue in 16th.

Good for science service

Today, although Sergio Perez finished second twice in Bahrain and Jeddah, we imagine a Maranello car could beat him more than the Mexican team-mate.

Charles Leclerc is keen to prove he is a real leader in 2025, although Carlos Sainz, who has recovered from his absence in Saudi Arabia, looks set to perform before Lewis Hamilton arrives. But the Spaniard suffers at a distance.

Ferrari no longer afraid of Red Bull: “We're halfway there and there's a big margin for improvement”

Behind Ferrari and Red Bull, Aston Martin, Mercedes and McLaren are neck and neck. “A tenth of a second can make the difference between second and tenth place. Ferrari boss Frédéric Vassour believes.

Still struggling, Alpine will have to fight back to get out of Q1 and hope to score its first points. Far from Red Bull and Ferrari…