Mercedes Start Strong As Russell Wins The Australian Grand Prix 2026

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George Russell delivered a controlled victory at the Australian Grand Prix, giving Mercedes an ideal start to the new Formula One season. Russell led a one-two finish for the team in Melbourne, signalling strong early form under the latest technical regulations.

Russell resisted Charles Leclerc during the opening phase, with Leclerc attacking hard across the first 10 laps. A virtual safety car period then shaped the race, as Ferrari chose to keep Leclerc on track, a strategy that left Leclerc vulnerable later in the stint.

Kimi Antonelli completed the Mercedes one-two, underlining how comfortable the team appeared with the updated rule set during pre-season and the first race distance. Leclerc recovered to secure third place, finishing ahead of new Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton in fourth.

Reigning F1 world champion Lando Norris ended the race in fifth for McLaren, while Max Verstappen classified sixth for Red Bull. Oscar Piastri endured a difficult home weekend, spinning on the way to the grid and failing to feature in the battle near the front.

Oliver Bearman claimed seventh for Haas, ahead of Arvid Lindblad in eighth for Racing Bulls. Gabriel Bortoleto gave Audi ninth place, with Pierre Gasly taking the final point for Alpine in 10th. Neither Fernando Alonso nor Lance Stroll was classified, deepening Aston Martin’s early-season concerns.

Mercedes extended an impressive statistical run, having now recorded at least one podium finish in 18 different seasons. The streak includes each of the last 15 years, matching the eighth-longest sequence in F1 history, set by BRM between 1958 and 1972.

Lindblad set a notable personal milestone in Melbourne. The Racing Bulls driver became the youngest Briton to start a Formula One race and finished eighth on debut. At 18 years and 213 days, Lindblad is the fourth-youngest F1 starter after Verstappen, Stroll and Antonelli, whose ages remain official reference points.

Russell leaves Australia leading the early standings, ahead of Antonelli and Leclerc, while Mercedes move clear of Ferrari and McLaren in the constructors’ battle after the opening weekend.