Commentator Karun Chandhok criticized the strategy adopted by Ferrari at the Australian GP, the opening round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, describing as “disappointing” the decision not to call either of its drivers to the pits during two virtual safety car (VSC) periods at the start of the race.
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In a video posted on social media, Chandhok stated that the team missed an opportunity to pressure George Russell, who won the race with Mercedes. “I think, for me, Ferrari was a bit disappointing strategically, because the cars looked competitive, more competitive than perhaps we expected, but they weren’t bold enough in that first virtual safety car,” he said.
During the VSC periods, Mercedes brought both its drivers to the pits, while Ferrari kept Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on track until the green flag was restored, which ended up costing the team several seconds. With clear track after the stop, Russell was able to manage the car better and build a lead.
“I was disappointed they didn’t take the risk. Despite being in the lead, trying to do a long stint would be 46 laps on the hard tire. Others managed it. I was disappointed they didn’t take that chance. In the worst-case scenario, they would be third and fourth. So why not take the risk and try to go for the win anyway, or at least get into that fight with George? Because when Lewis and Charles were together with George, George was having to use his battery in less than ideal ways to compete and fight against both.”
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He also evaluated the second virtual safety car, after Valtteri Bottas‘s stop. For Chandhok, stopping Leclerc at that moment would be difficult, but there was a chance to anticipate Hamilton’s stop. “In the second virtual safety car, Leclerc was a bit too close to the pit entry. But when Bottas’s Cadillac broke down, I think they could have anticipated the virtual safety car or the safety car and called Lewis. They would have had a few more seconds, maybe three or four more seconds, for that,” he concluded.
The race ended with a victory for Russell and his teammate, Kimi Antonelli, in second place on the podium. Leclerc was third.
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