George Russell has taken victory at the season opener in Melbourne. After a commanding run to pole position yesterday, the Mercedes driver lost the lead on the first lap to a fast-starting Charles Leclerc. A memorable tussle ensued, but after pitting on lap 13, Russell’s pace in clear air, coupled with a successful one-stop strategy, saw him reclaim the lead, following which he was left free to take his sixth career victory. Russell praised his team’s efforts after the race and lauded the car they had built.
In keeping with his unpredictable qualifying yesterday, Kimi Antonelli had a lively run to second. Having dropped to seventh after a poor launch, Antonelli was forced into a recovery drive. Fortunately for him, the Mercedes’ pace allowed him to efficiently pick those off in front of him while his tyre management allowed him to reclaim second place. He may have done it the hard way, but with P2, Antonelli has done the job asked of him given Mercedes’ current form.
Charles Leclerc ensured that the Silver Arrows didn’t have it all their own way. A superb launch saw him take the lead after turn one. Russell gave immediate chase. The pair exchanged places over the next four laps in a duel that gave us our first glimpse of the new energy deployment systems at work. After attempting an overcut, Ferrari were unable to capitalise on a lap 18 virtual safety car and Leclerc had to settle for third. The Monegasque later said there was no way he could have realistically challenged the Mercedes for the win but was grateful for his team’s efforts.
Behind him, Lewis Hamilton spent the opening laps in close attendance to the top two but was unable to find a way by. A trouble-free run saw him take fourth just six tenths of a second behind his teammate. His wait for a first grand prix podium in red goes on, but Hamilton’s pace suggests he is significantly happier with his equipment in 2026.
In contrast to the action up front, Lando Norris had a largely uneventful race. After the opening skirmishes, the reigning world champion held station in fifth but found himself under pressure from Max Verstappen in his final stint. As his mediums started to wear, Norris nearly conceded the place to his old rival but did enough to hang on for fifth. After crashing out in Q1 yesterday, Verstappen said that a solid points finish would be a realistic target and with sixth place, the Dutchman got just that.
Ollie Bearman made good progress from his 12th-place grid slot. The Haas driver had a memorable tussle with Arvid Lindblad on lap 41 and came out on top to take seventh.
Lindblad made quite the statement in his first-ever race. Starting eighth, the 18-year-old made a move on Lewis Hamilton at the very first corner to briefly run as high as fourth.
He may have lost out to Bearman in that duel, but with eighth place, Lindblad will have plenty to smile about after his debut.
Gabriel Bortoleto made up for his Q3 disappointment with ninth and secured a points-scoring finish for Audi on debut.
Pierre Gasly completed a credible run from 14th to tenth grabbing a point for Alpine. Esteban Ocon finished 11th ahead of Alex Albon, Liam Lawson, Franco Colpainto and Carlos Sainz.
Sergio Perez in 16th ensured that at least one of the Cadillacs took the chequered flag. His teammate Valtteri Bottas wasn’t so fortunate as he ground to a halt with an engine issue on lap 18.
Unsurprisingly, Aston Martin retired both their cars due to reliability concerns, while Isack Hadjar’s remarkable performance in qualifying came to nought. The Frenchman retired with an engine failure on lap 11.
An engine issue meant Nico Hülkenberg was unable to start the race, as was Oscar Piastri, who suffered a heartbreaking crash on the reconnaissance lap.
There’s plenty to digest after this dramatic season opener. However, one thing is clear: having been forced to play a supporting role in the narrative of the ground effect era, George Russell is now ready to take centre stage.
