George Russell made a statement to seize victory at the Australian Grand Prix as a new generation in Formula 1 started in Melbourne.
The Mercedes star edged out teammate Kimi Antonelli for the win, backing up his pole position after a frenetic start and multiple lead changes between himself and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc, who finished third.
Lewis Hamilton was just six tenths of a second out of a first podium in red on a dramatic season opener down under, which saw Oscar Piastri crash on his lap to the grid, eliminating the home favourite before lights out. Melbourne’s Albert Park confirmed a miserable week for Aston Martin, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll retiring.
As did Isack Hadjar, who qualified third on his Red Bull debut, and appeared set for a great race before a heartbreaking moment for the young driver. His teammate Max Verstappen was forced to settle for sixth, behind reigning world champion Lando Norris.
Here’s everything you need to know about the season-opener.
Driver standings after Australian GP
1. George Russell (Mercedes) - 25 points
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 18 points
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 15 points
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 12 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 10 points
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 8 points
7. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 6 points
8. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 4 points
9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 2 points
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 1 point
11. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 0 points
12. Alex Albon (Williams) - 0 points
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 0 points
14. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 0 points
15. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 0 points
16. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points
17. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 0 points
18. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 0 points
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 0 points
20. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points
Constructor standings after Australian GP
1. Mercedes - 43 points
2. Ferrari - 27 points
3. McLaren - 10 points
4. Red Bull - 8 points
5. Haas - 6 points
6. Racing Bulls - 4 points
7. Audi - 2 points
8. Alpine - 1 point
9. Williams - 0 points
10. Cadillac - 0 points
11. Aston Martin - 0 points
F1 2026 driver line-up
McLAREN
Lando Norris
Oscar Piastri
FERRARI
Charles Leclerc
Lewis Hamilton
RED BULL
Max Verstappen
Isack Hadjar
MERCEDES
George Russell
Kimi Antonelli
ASTON MARTIN
Fernando Alonso
Lance Stroll
ALPINE
Pierre Gasly
Franco Colapinto
HAAS
Esteban Ocon
Ollie Bearman
RACING BULLS
Liam Lawson
Arvid Lindblad
WILLIAMS
Alex Albon
Carlos Sainz
SAUBER
Nico Hulkenberg
Gabriel Bortoleto
CADILLAC (New Team)
Sergio Perez
Valtteri Bottas
NOTE: italics represent new seat
What is the 2026 race calendar?
ROUND 2 - CHINA (sprint weekend)
Shanghai International Circuit, 13-15 March
ROUND 3 - JAPAN
Suzuka International Racing Course - 27-29 March
ROUND 4 - BAHRAIN
Bahrain International Circuit - 10-12 April
ROUND 5 - SAUDI ARABIA
Jeddah Corniche Circuit - 17-19 April
ROUND 6 - MIAMI (sprint weekend)
Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium - 1-3 May
ROUND 7 - CANADA (sprint weekend)
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal - 22-24 May
ROUND 8 - MONACO
Circuit de Monaco - 5-7 June
ROUND 9 - SPAIN (Barcelona)
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya - 12-14 June
ROUND 10 - AUSTRIA
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg - 26-28 June
ROUND 11 - GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit - 3-5 July
ROUND 12 - BELGIUM
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps - 17-19 July
ROUND 13 - HUNGARY
Hungaroring, Budapest - 24-26 July
ROUND 14 - NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)
Circuit Zandvoort - 21-23 August
ROUND 15 - ITALY
Monza Circuit - 4-6 September
ROUND 16 - SPAIN (Madrid)
Circuito de Madring - 11-13 September
ROUND 17 - AZERBAIJAN
Baku City Circuit - 25-27 September
ROUND 18 - SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit - 9-11 October
ROUND 19 - UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin - 23-25 October
ROUND 20 - MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City - 30 October-1 November
ROUND 21 - BRAZIL
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo - 6-8 November
ROUND 22 - LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit - 19-21 November
ROUND 23 - QATAR
Lusail International Circuit - 27-29 November
ROUND 24 - ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit - 4-6 December
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F1 Australian GP live: Russell makes Ferrari admission after win with Hamilton fuming
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George Russell emerges from early chaos to win Australian Grand Prix
