Ferrari’s sizzling display in heat raises title hopes

RED was painted all over Melbourne at the first grand prix of the season. Ferrari ended Mercedes’ oppression after three years of near-utter domination, 51 wins in 59 races. But can the Scuderia keep it up? Ferrari, for the moment at least, seem able to manage their tyres better than the world champions. Lewis Hamilton found his rubber going off faster than on the winning Ferrari of Sebastian Vettel, and that was the key to victory. Fine for now. But what dynamics will determine the season in full? Vettel has the advantage of being the No 1 driver in his team, as defined by the contract he signed — a £40million-a-year bonanza. His first among equals contract was agreed under a different regime, one of the last major acts of Luca di Montezemolo’s presidency. The letter of that arrangement still stands, and may play into the German’s hands. Hamilton, on the other hand, is factually co-equal with Valtteri Bottas and Mercedes are avowed disciples of open racing. However, if Bottas is short of pace against his team-mate, the distinction will be irrelevant anyway. Ferrari seem stronger in hotter temperatures, such as last Sunday’s race and unlike Saturday’s qualifying sessions, in which Hamilton took pole. These vagaries may determine who comes out on top and when. The big challenge for Ferrari is to meet, and exceed, Mercedes’ rate of development. In recent years, the Italians have been too slow to react as the season has progressed and their upgrades have come too late. They have realised this and are devoting manpower to the matter. If they do so successfully, it could be a long season of close rivalry. For now, Mercedes and Hamilton are favourites, but not such cast-iron certainties that the competition is dead before it began.