Overview
- George Russell won the Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, with Charles Leclerc third and Lewis Hamilton fourth.
- Race data cited by Italian outlets reported about 120 overtakes at Albert Park, up from 45 last year, highlighting the new regulations’ effect on on‑track action.
- Several leading drivers, including Lando Norris and Max Verstappen, criticized the cars’ handling and cockpit workload, pointing to battery management, distracting displays and problematic starts as safety concerns.
- Mercedes gained decisive track position by double‑stopping under a lap‑13 Virtual Safety Car, while Ferrari stayed out and then lost its window when a later VSC closed the pit lane after Valtteri Bottas stopped; team boss Frédéric Vasseur said the pace deficit meant victory was unlikely regardless.
- Red Bull’s pace looked short of Mercedes and Ferrari as Verstappen recovered to sixth after a qualifying crash and fumed over a pit‑lane incident with rookie Arvid Lindblad, whose impressive debut yielded eighth, while Isack Hadjar retired with engine smoke.