Formula 1 is back! Just in time for the start of the season, F1 Focus is back – the column in which Finley Crebolder from Flashscore shares his impressions of the race weekends and the latest developments in the paddock.
When the lights went out in Melbourne, it felt like we were entering a completely new era: new teams, radically changed cars and regulations that are transforming the sport from the ground up. After the Australian Grand Prix it is clear: This Formula 1 has hardly anything in common with what we have seen in recent years. Here are my initial thoughts to kick things off.
Mercedes: A masterful start
During the entire Ground Effect era (2022-2025), it often seemed as if Mercedes had all the ingredients for success – the only thing missing was the right car. This weekend proved otherwise.
In terms of driving, the team was beyond any doubt. As in the previous season, George Russell delivered an almost fault-free weekend. Kimi Antonelli, on the other hand, showed impressive resilience: After his mistakes in FP3 and in the starting phase, he fought back and finished both qualifying and the race as the best driver behind his teammate.
Just as crucial as the performance on the track was the precision at the command post. The crew made perfect use of the virtual safety car, chose the ideal time to stop and demonstrated a golden touch when it came to tire management. This perfectly oiled machine allowed for a one-stop strategy that resulted in a confident one-two victory.
Ferrari fans can currently only dream of such tactical brilliance. Even if the Italians had done everything strategically right: the W17 was simply unbeatable in Russell’s hands that day. With this car, this driver duo and an impeccable organization in the background, Mercedes seems almost unstoppable in 2026.
Welcome back, Lewis Hamilton
Although many experts are critical of Ferrari’s start to the season, there is definitely reason to smile in Maranello. They clearly have the second best car in the field. Since the pace against Mercedes wouldn’t have been enough anyway, the result was the maximum of what was possible. But the most important news: The “real” Lewis Hamilton has finally arrived.
After the seven-time world champion in 2025 often seemed to have no chance against Charles Leclerc, less than a second separated him from his teammate in Melbourne – a single lap more and he would probably have conceded. For comparison: at the 2025 season finale he was still 50 seconds behind the Monegasque. That’s a quantum leap.
Sure, it was only one race, but the omens are good. Hamilton seems to feel much more comfortable in the new generation of vehicles than in the frustrating years since 2021. The new regulations also bring energy management into focus. Pure pace takes a step back, intelligent driving becomes more important and Hamilton’s experience becomes more relevant.
I don’t dare predict that he will beat Leclerc over the entire season, but the swan songs of his career should fall silent for the time being. The dream of winning in red is within reach again. Maybe it was never his age, but simply that the ground effect cars didn’t suit his style. It’s a tempting thought: Are we seeing the rebirth of the old Hamilton?
A new way of racing
While Hamilton benefits from the rules, criticism is loud in the paddock and among the fans. On paper, Formula 1 delivered what was promised: the lead changed several times and we saw 120 overtaking maneuvers instead of the 45 last year.
But the quality of these maneuvers is controversial. Often they didn’t seem like the result of courage or driving brilliance, but rather like pure tactics with the battery. Whoever saved more energy passed the car in front without resistance.
The fact that the drivers can no longer push their cars to the absolute limit even in qualifying due to energy management is causing dissatisfaction. Many people want Formula 1 to be a showcase for superhuman talent and the fastest machines in the world – both of which were somewhat neglected in Melbourne.
However, it is premature to judge. Teams and drivers are just learning to deal with the new complexity. As soon as the strategies align, courage and creativity will again be the deciding factor. If the cars can actually follow more closely than before, we could be in for the best races in years. Strategic energy saving may seem less spectacular than a daring braking maneuver, but it is a highly complex skill.
The problem of the lower top speed may remain, but personally I would rather see two cars in a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel at 160 km/h than a lone car doing its laps at 200 km/h.
