In a dramatic twist at the Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes revealed they had a hidden edge during the chaotic wet-weather finale at Albert Park this past Sunday
As the rain swept across the Melbourne circuit with just over a dozen laps remaining, teams scrambled to decide whether to switch to intermediate tyres, turning the paddock into a hive of frantic activity.
Some outfits, like Red Bull, Ferrari, Racing Bulls, and Alpine, opted to stay out on slick tyres, betting against the worsening conditions. That gamble backfired.
Meanwhile, Mercedes reacted with razor-sharp precision. “We’re forecasting that dry tyres won’t hold; it’ll be heavy enough for inters,” George Russell heard over the team radio as the downpour hit on lap 44 of 57.
Acting fast, Mercedes called both Russell and teammate Kimi Antonelli into the pits, executing a bold double-stack stop despite the tight quarters. The move paid off handsomely. Russell, who had just overtaken a stranded Oscar Piastri, secured third place, while Antonelli rocketed from P10 to fifth, hunting down Alex Albon’s Williams and eventually claiming fourth after a thrilling pass.
“Sunday’s podium was a true team effort,” Mercedes said after the race. “As the weather turned Albert Park upside down, our crew stayed cool-headed.” But the Brackley-based squad later admitted they had a clever trick up their sleeve, one they executed to perfection.
On Thursday, Mercedes had held their media duties on St. Kilda beach, a short distance from the circuit. Come race day, they sent a team member back to that same spot to act as a weather scout. While teams often use spotters, they’re typically stationed within the track’s boundaries. This unconventional move gave Mercedes a critical advantage.
“A massive thanks to our team member on St. Kilda beach,” the eight-time constructors’ champions said. “They fed us real-time updates on the rain’s intensity and direction, letting us nail the switch to inters at the perfect moment.”
Antonelli’s race wasn’t without drama. Initially slapped with a five-second penalty for an unsafe release during the pit stop frenzy, he dropped to fifth at the chequered flag. However, stewards later overturned the decision, restoring the 18-year-old to fourth. That result propelled Mercedes to the top of the standings, level with McLaren at 27 points after a gripping Melbourne showdown.
