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Russell Wins Australian GP to Open 2026 as Mercedes Delivers 1-2

Mercedes' Melbourne 1-2 signals an early benchmark under F1’s new rules.

Overview

  • Ferrari secured third and fourth with Charles Leclerc ahead of Lewis Hamilton, and McLaren’s Lando Norris finished fifth.
  • The 2026 rule package debuted with active aerodynamics, a more powerful MGU-K in place of the MGU-H, a battery-driven overtake mode, and sustainable fuels that elevated energy management.
  • Kimi Antonelli recovered to second after a reported battery issue compromised his launch.
  • Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar, who qualified third, retired on lap 12 with a power-unit failure, prompting a Virtual Safety Car that influenced pit strategy in a race tending toward one stop.
  • Max Verstappen climbed from the back to sixth after a qualifying crash, while home favorite Oscar Piastri hit the wall on the formation lap and did not start.