P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton believes the truth will only come out during the Australian GP season-opener.
Lewis Hamilton believes that F1 drivers won’t truly understand the challenges of following rival cars until they are deeply immersed in it at the Australian GP. The complex new power units and active aerodynamics in pre-season testing have made it crucial for drivers to evaluate the difficulty of following behind a rival car for several laps. While the active aero with straight line mode (SM) aims to improve overtaking, drivers now need to balance battery use as the electrical system contributes 50% to power output alongside the combustion engine. Initial testing feedback indicates that following another car is similar to 2025, but Hamilton suggests the real test will come during the season-opener in Melbourne on March 8th. Hamilton emphasized the uncertainty surrounding race conditions and the need to experience being behind another driver to fully grasp the challenges. He acknowledged that the true impact might not surface until the drivers are deeply engaged in the races.
