P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari did have Red Bull-beating pace for qualifying at least. Both it got lost along the way for both drivers. Mark Hughes explains how in his post-qualifying analysis
Pirelli introduced its softest C5 compound at the Australian Grand Prix, affecting the battle for pole position between Red Bull and Ferrari. Despite Max Verstappen’s impressive pole position, Ferrari’s speed around Albert Park was noteworthy. Carlos Sainz’s almost-pole position was hindered by a challenging moment at Turn 9. The different reactions of Red Bull and Ferrari to the tricky C5 tire played a crucial role in the qualifying results. Verstappen faced setup issues with the C5 on Friday, affecting his performance compared to Ferrari. Red Bull’s struggle with tire temperature and setup window allowed Ferrari to shine in qualifying and practice sessions. Despite Red Bull’s improvements on Saturday, Ferrari’s accessibility to the sweet spot gave them an edge during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
