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.
Follow live reaction to the Australian Grand Prix with The Independent below:
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F1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - LATEST UPDATES
- Russell claims fine win in Melbourne over Mercedes teammate Antonelli and Ferrari's Leclerc
- OUT! Red Bull's Isack Hadjar car fails
- PASS! Leclerc jumps from fourth to first with tremendous start
- OUT! Oscar Piastri crashes before the race even starts
- INTERVIEW: Meet the new George Russell - F1 championship favourite
- Russell delighted with victory to underline favourite credentials
- REPORT: Lewis Hamilton left furious at Ferrari as George Russell capitalises for thrilling Australian GP victory
Lewis Hamilton reacts to fourth with Ferrari in season opener
06:28 , Jack Rathborn“I don’t know, I have to go back and have a look, but I’m proud of the team,” Hamilton says.
“We’re not as fast as Mercedes, but we’re right in the fight, it was a fun race.
“A couple more laps and I’d have had Charles.”
George Russell 'mega happy' after opening win
06:20 , Jack Rathborn"Mega happy, it was the race we were expecting, difficult to manage battery, yo-yoing a bit with the overtakes. I was looking at my mirrors at Hadjar. I didn't use my boost button [on the opening lap], which was a mistake.
“We didn’t expect that [from Ferrari], I don’t think we overperformed, we adapted to the conditions, today was more like it.
“Incredibly difficult, this circuit, Monza and Spa, the most difficult tracks of the year, next week will be more manageable.
“This wasn’t the best place to start the season [due to the new cars], even though it is for me the best place to start the season.”
Brit rookie Arvid Lindblad dazzles on debut
06:07 , Jack RathbornA word on Brit rookie Arvid Lindblad, then?
He scores points on his debut with an eighth-placed finish.
Sensational from the youngster, who told Lando Norris five years ago he’d see him right here, on the grid.
Today shows he belongs.
George Russell on Mercedes race strategy in Melbourne
06:01 , Jack Rathborn"I'm glad you guys enjoyed it, we had the suspicion that it was going to be a bit of a yoyo effect, as soon as one of us got in front it felt impossible to hold it.
"Obviously with this straight mode, we lose a lot of the front end on the cars, so we're sort of just understeering a lot round these corners.
"Maybe the FIA are going to have to improve that a little bit because it was a bit sketchy, but I made it in one piece and I'm glad to be one-two."
George Russell: 'It's been a long time coming to have this car beneath us'
05:58 , Jack Rathborn"I'm feeling incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning. We knew it was going to be challenging and I got on the grid and I saw my battery level had nothing in the tank.
"I made a bad start and obviously some really tight battles with Charles [Leclerc], so I was really glad to cross the finish line.
"Thank you so much for the whole team, it's been a long time coming to have this car beneath us."
Mercedes and Ferrari warned F1 advantage over rivals might no remain
05:53 , Jack Rathborn“You can’t take a lot away from George from that drive,” Collins adds, underlining the impressive nature of the Mercedes star’s drive, despite Ferrari strategy doubts.
“The advantage Mercedes and Ferrari had this week, might not be there next week. Sprint next week, straight into it. It’s going to push these drivers hard.”
Lewis Hamilton will have Ferrari questions after virtual safety car mistake
05:53 , Jack Rathborn"That was good, wasn't it? Lots of overtaking, lots of different strategies, more finishers than we thought. Desperately disappointed for Oscar, especially the home favourite,” says Sky Sports pundit Bernie Collins.
“Ferrari will be saying, why didn’t we do one car, at least?
“Leclerc was just at the safety car release, potentially for Lewis there was time, that will raise questions.”
REPORT: Lewis Hamilton left furious at Ferrari as George Russell capitalises for thrilling Australian GP victory
05:48 , Kieran Jackson at Albert Park CircuitBy the closing stages, Lewis Hamilton was at the end of his tether. “Leave me to it,” came the call to his (temporary) race engineer Carlo Santi, a remark we’ve become accustomed to hearing. No doubt the Briton’s blood was boiling underneath his yellow helmet as another podium opportunity at Ferrari passed him by in round one.
The Scuderia’s decision not to pit Hamilton after a dozen laps under a virtual safety car was questionable. Their call not to box either the Brit or teammate Charles Leclerc was downright ignorant. Mercedes, and their lead driver George Russell, were only too happy to walk through the door left wide open.
It was far more dramatic than the Silver Arrows and Russell would have wished but, ultimately, their irrepressible power was too much. Having lost his lead at the start to Charles Leclerc, Russell held his nerve, kept his cool and trusted the machinery beneath him.
Hamilton left infuriated by Ferrari as Russell capitalises for Australian GP victory
Russell lauds Ferrari in debrief with Leclerc
05:43 , Jack Rathborn“You guys were not slow,” Russell says.
“I think you screwed up in Q3 yesterday.”
Antonelli and Leclerc react to Australian Grand Prix
05:38 , Jack Rathborn"It was the best start we could have wished for, I lost a lot of pace at the start, but overall it was a great race and looking forward to next week,” says Antonelli.
Leclerc: “It’s been quite challenging, I’m happy to get out of the battle in first, unfortunately, it didn’t last.
“The person who switched off the lights was quite cheeky, we were on the limit with the power unit.
“I don’t think [we would have challenged without a virtual safety car], I don’t think we could have won.”
F1 Drivers' championship standings after Australian Grand Prix
05:35 , Jack Rathborn1. George Russell - 25 points
2. Kimi Antonelli - 18 points
3. Charles Leclerc - 15 points
4. Lewis Hamilton - 12 points
5. Lando Norris - 10 points
6. Max Verstappen - 8 points
7. Ollie Bearman - 8 points
8. Arvid Lindblad - 4 points
9. Gabriel Bortoleto - 2 points
10. Pierre Gasly - 1 point
Russell credits Leclerc for incredible battle
05:34 , Jack Rathborn“Feeling incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning, I saw my battery level had nothing in the tank, really glad to get to the finish line,” Russell says.
"It was a bit sketchy, but so glad to land a one-two."
Russell delighted after season-opening win in Melbourne
05:30 , Jack RathbornMercedes to Russell: "You ripper, great job, great job.”
Russell replies: “Very nice. Very nice. Very nice, I like this car, I like this engine, great job.”
George Russell wins Australian Grand Prix
05:28 , Jack RathbornRussell wins Australian Grand Prix!
A flying start to the season for Mercedes, Antonelli in second, Ferrari’s Leclerc in third, with Hamilton six tenths of a second behind his teammate. Agony for Hamilton.
We have 16 finishers, too.
1. Russell; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Lindblad; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Hamilton set to be frustrated and outside of podium
05:27 , Jack RathbornLap 57
So then, final lap coming up, Hamilton with a bit more pace than Leclerc, but the first corner and race strategy has cost him a podium.
A fifth fourth-place since joining Ferrari, no podiums yet?
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Lindblad; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Russell and Antonelli closing in on Mercedes one-two
05:23 , Jack RathbornLap 55
Toto Wolff looking very cool as he watches his Mercedes drivers close in on a one-two.
Ferrari running out of time, Russell ready to back up the pre-championship hype, then?
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Lindblad; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
McLaren pleased with Norris defending place over Verstappen
05:20 , Jack RathbornLap 54
Zak Brown on Norris: "He's doing a great job, it's going to be tough. We’re learning as we go, he’s doing a great job, Max looks like he’s sizing him up.
“I spoke to him [Piastri], disappointing but we have another race coming up. We didn’t see anything on the data, but a spike in the torque and the tires weren’t fully up to speed.”
Russell looks comfortable in closing stages of Australian Grand Prix
05:18 , Jack RathbornLap 51
Ferrari haven’t got the pace to cut into the lead the Mercedes cars have, they may need a mistake from Russell or Antonelli to get both Scuderia cars on the podium.
Ferrari say: “Keep pushing, you never know.”
Russell poised for sixth race victory with 10 laps remaining
05:15 , Jack RathbornLap 49
Norris defending well, for now, the power unit could be an issue in the final laps though, with Verstappen applying the pressure.
Mercedes could have a first one-two finish without Lewis Hamilton involved since 1955: Moss and Fangio.
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Lindblad; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Verstappen attacks Norris in battle for fifth
05:10 , Jack RathbornLap 45
“We are going to the end,” Mercedes tell Russell. Here we go, then. Time for Ferrari to pick up some pace.
Leclerc is 16 seconds behind Russell, while Hamilton is another four seconds behind. Just 13 laps remaining.
Look out for Verstappen attacking Norris late in the battle for fifth, the Red Bull is the fastest on the track right now.
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Lindblad; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Russell clarifies Mercedes race strategy as Australian Grand Prix reaches thrilling finale
05:07 , Jack RathbornLap 44
Russell: “While we are doing these lap times, we are going to the end?”
Yes, indeed, Mercedes hoping to navigate this close, 31 laps on these tires.
The Ferraris? Leclerc with 17 in his tires, and Hamilton just 14 in his tires.
Russell holds lead with Ferrari's Leclerc and Hamilton poised to attack late
05:05 , Jack RathbornLap 40
Places swapping all the time, get ready for drama as we approach the business end of the race.
Russell out in front by six seconds, but Antonelli has the Ferraris queueing up behind him.
Lindblad: “Let’s try get him, one more time.” The British youngster is in eight and having a storming race on debut.
Russell and Mercedes face race-defining decision
04:58 , Jack RathbornLap 37
Russell’s front left tire is degrading a little... Advantage Ferrari?
Can the Mercedes make it home in one stop? Delicately poised.
A snap decision soon? If Russell pits, he’ll come out near Hamilton in fourth currently.
Alonso, after a little dance back in the race and 10 laps behind the rest, has, indeed, retired. The reason? The team want to “conserve components.”
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton; 5. Verstappen; 6. Lindblad; 7. Bearman; 8. Norris; 9. Gasly; 10. Ocon
Mercedes still out in front after virtual safety car
04:54 , Jack RathbornLap 35
Virtual safety car... Debris on the track from Perez's car, but Antonelli swerves to the left and Mercedes breathe a sigh of relief, the VSC has gone for the time being.
Mercedes ready to roll the dice on one stop in gripping Australian Grand Prix
04:53 , Jack RathbornLap 34
“Kimi, we're thinking of going to the end,” Mercedes tell the Italian.
Antonelli responds, “let’s be brave.”
“Could you do 26 laps on a medium?” Norris snaps back, “not at this rate!”
1. Russell - leader; 2. Antonelli; 3. Leclerc 4. Hamilton ; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Lindblad; 8. Bearman; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Verstappen and Norris poised for battle as Russell leads
04:50 , Jack RathbornLap 31
Ferrari are banking on a safety car, it seems, or to force Mercedes into another stop. Plenty more racing to come as we enter the second half of the race.
Russell is feeling it; he notes to his team on the radio, strong gusts felt out on the track.
If you scroll down the leaderboard, you’ll note Alonso in 18th, one ahead of his teammate Stroll in 17th. But the Spaniard’s Aston Martin is 10 laps behind everyone else on track.
Russell retakes lead from Hamilton at Australian Grand Prix
04:46 , Jack RathbornLap 29
Here we go then, Russell to within 0.1 seconds, on the inside of Hamilton and he retakes the lead.
The Ferrari finally joins the pit lane, can Hamilton emerge in position to attack?
“Ok, I think the one stop is viable,” Russell says to Mercedes.
Alonso makes surprise return to race as Hamilton leads
04:43 , Jack RathbornLap 27
Meanwhile, remarkably, Alonso has rejoined the race for Aston Martin.
1. Hamilton - leader; 2. Russell; 3. Antonelli; 4. Leclerc; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Lindblad; 8. Bearman; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Leclerc pits with Hamilton leading over Russell
04:42 , Jack RathbornLap 26
“Box, box,” from Ferrari to Leclerc.
Hamilton will soon lead with Russell right behind him, 2.5 seconds...
Ferrari coughed up a lot of time to Mercedes, who will be bullish about a top two at this rate.
Russell closes in on Hamilton in second as Leclerc leads Australian Grand Prix
04:40 , Jack RathbornLap 25
Russell now within 3.3 seconds of Hamilton, get your popcorn ready. Leclerc out i front by 2.3 seconds.
1. Leclerc - leader; 2. Hamilton; 3. Russell; 4. Antonelli; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Lindblad; 8. Bearman; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Russell closes gap to Hamilton in second at Australian Grand Prix
04:39 , Jack RathbornLap 23
20th to sixth for Verstappen, what a drive from the Dutchman.
Is Norris racing cautiously after teammate Piastri’s nightmare?
A clear gap between the top four and the rest, then.
But Russell is down to four seconds back from Hamilton in second.
Hamilton growing in confidence at Australian Grand Prix
04:35 , Jack RathbornLap 20
Russell has chipped away at the deficit; it’s six seconds to Hamilton in second.
Verstappen up to sixth and past Lindblad, with Russell in his sights.
“My tires are OK, do not box me at the same time,” warns Hamilton.
1. Leclerc - leader; 2. Hamilton; 3. Russell; 4. Antonelli; 5. Norris; 6. Verstappen; 7. Lindblad; 8. Bearman; 9. Bortoleto; 10. Gasly
Mercedes ramping up pressure on Ferraris out in front
04:28 , Jack RathbornLap 15
Russell is 10 seconds behind, Hamilton is informed on the radio. “How are they only 10 seconds?"
Antonelli pinches fourth back from Lindblad, too.
It’s all going on here, Alonso has been asked to come in, his race is done, we’re four cars down so far...
Hamilton upset by Ferrari strategy after VSC with Hadjar out of Australian Grand Prix
04:24 , Jack RathbornLap 13
Both Antonelli and Russell come in, Ferrari's pair stay out... Strategy at its finest here, a gamble from the Scuderia.
“At least one of us should have come in,” shouts Hamilton.
1. Leclerc - leader; 2. Hamilton; 3. Russell; 4. Lindblad; 5. Antonelli; 6. Verstappen; 7. Bearman; 8. Bortoleto; 9. Norris; 10. Ocon
Hadjar out of Australian Grand Prix after great start
04:21 , Jack RathbornLap 12
Oh no! That’s Hadjar, crawling to a stop, and it’s cruel down under for the Red Bull...
He screams: “Come on! Car’s broken, everything.”
Virtual safety car.... Norris into the pits, back out in 10th too.
Leclerc leads from Russell and Hamilton in frenetic start to Australian Grand Prix
04:19 , Jack RathbornLap 11
Russell’s complaint was noted by race control, stewards yet to have a look at it though.
Verstappen up to 10th, past Bearman and closing on Gasly. Colapinto into the pits...
Antonelli fourth, Hadjar in fifth, Lindbland in sixth. Got your breath yet?
Top-10 after 10 laps
04:18 , Kieran Jackson1. Leclerc - leader
2. Russell +0.6
3. Hamilton +1.0
4. Antonelli +1.0
5. Hadjar +6.6
6. Lindblad +2.4
7. Norris +0.4
8. Ocon +2.8
9. Verstappen +0.4
10. Gasly +0.9
Major drama as Russell locks up behind Leclerc with Hamilton pushing for second
04:16 , Jack RathbornLap 9
Five lead changes! Leclerc straight back at Russell, meanwhile, Hamilton is just chilling as the top two throw haymakers.
Oooh, Russell locks up, Hamilton licking his lips.
Russell back in lead in gripping Australian Grand Prix battle with Leclerc
04:15 , Jack RathbornLap 7
Leclerc defends well there as we hit lap seven, Russell a little frustrated as the pair go at it once more. Russell having a moan on the radio, "that was very dangerous from Leclerc".
But there’s Russell once more, four lead changes already.
Verstappen is way up already, now in 11th... A contender for top six, then?
Leclerc back in Australian Grand Prix lead with Hamilton lurking
04:09 , Jack RathbornLap 3
Leclerc and Russell enjoying a great battle at the front, with the Monegasque back out in front.
But look at Lewis Hamilton, just a second behind Russell now.
Russell retakes lead at Australian Grand Prix
04:08 , Jack RathbornLap 2
Russell back into the lead, this could be a gripping contest, Hamilton’s Ferrari +2.2 seconds further back, he is the fastest car on the track curretly.
Lights out! Australian Grand Prix underway!
04:04 , Jack RathbornRussell under pressure, Leclerc leads at the first corner!
Isack Hadjar into third and Antonelli having issues at the start, no battery!
Drama here already, Russell just couldn’t get going.
British youngster Lindbland having a beautiful start in fifth, but up comes Hamilton into third!
Hulkenberg to start from pit lane but might not start Australian Grand Prix
04:02 , Jack RathbornNico Hulkenberg's Audi will try start from the pit lane, but he might not start at all.
More chaos and we haven’t even had lights out... Not long now!
Wolff confirms Russell-Antonelli race dynamic at Mercedes
03:59 , Jack RathbornToto Wolff confirms George Russell and Kimi Antonelli can race each other but must be careful to start the season.
The Mercedes boss says: “They’re allowed to race, it’s the first race, we don’t want to look silly, the safety margin needs to be at least a metre.
“I would hope not that there is chaos off the line, from a Mercedes point of view.”
Max Verstappen remains irked by tough qualifying at Australian Grand Prix
03:57 , Jack RathbornMax Verstappen still doesn’t seem happy, more to follow after the race, he says.
The Red Bull star states on Sky Sports: "It's a combination of a few things that came together, it's complex to explain on TV. I don't know what happened to him, I can only imagine he didn't expect it though."
F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026
03:55 , Jack Rathborn
Lando Norris poised to defend F1 world championship
03:54 , Jack RathbornMcLaren star Norris has just seen his teammate Piastri crash out, he adds: "A lot of things to think of, a lot in your head, but it's the first race of the season, exciting."
Pat Cummins left 'devastated' by Oscar Piastri crash
03:51 , Jack Rathborn”It's devastating [to see Piastri crash out],” Australia cricket captain Pat Cummins says. “It's a shame to see”.
Now Kita Alexander performs the Australian national anthem. It’s almost time...
Rain expected to play major factor at Australian Grand Prix, says Alex Albon
03:47 , Jack Rathborn“It’ll take a while to get up to speed,” Albon says. “The rain will change the dynamic.”
It’s a big day for Cadillas, and their drivers are excited, Bottas says: “We’re ready to race, it should be an interesting day.”
While teammate Perez adds: “I’m good, I hope it’s an entertaining one for everyone.”
Verstappen 'emotionally drained'
03:42 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen was distinctly unhappy with the new regulations, echoing a widespread feeling around the paddock.
He said: “The formula is just not correct, and that is something that is a bit harder to change. But I think we need to.”
Speaking to Dutch media, he added: “I’m not enjoying it at all. Emotionally and feeling-wise, I’m completely drained. This has very little to do with racing.”
What can he do from P20 today?
Aston Martin owner commits to drivers attempting to complete race distance
03:42 , Jack RathbornLawrence Stroll, Aston Martin owner, has his say on his team’s troubles and how Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will navigate the race distance.
“Yes, it is, very unexpected, we’ll put our heads down and work through it, I hope it’ll be worked out as soon as possible,” says the co-woner.
“We will try run the race distance.”
Piastri out of race after stunning crash on lap to grid
03:38 , Jack Rathborn
McLaren boss Brown reacts to Piastri crash
03:37 , Jack Rathborn“I had a tear in my eye,” says Martin Brundle, who then finds McLaren boss Zak Brown.
“We didn't see anything of the data and he didn't say anything on the radio,” he tells Sky Sports.
“We have to focus on the race, it's disappointing for Oscar in his home race. I'll be excited to see the start, everyone says it'll be chaos, maybe it will be?”
Charles Leclerc, after qualifying fifth:
03:37 , Kieran JacksonOn race starts being an advantage: “I don’t think it will look like that, I might be wrong
“When everyone is in the optimal window, there’s not that much from the cars. It’s harder for Mercedes to reach that optimal window, but if they do everything perfect, I don’t expect them to struggle.”
Piastri out of race after stunning crash on lap to grid
03:34 , Jack RathbornThis is quite stunning, with the Aussie crowd in silence after Piastri’s crash on the lap to the grid.
The replays show the home favourite was focused on the battery on the straight, perhaps he forgot how cold his tires were?
The car was spat around, it’s both mechanical and a driver error. Just a heartbreaker for one of the contenders for the title last season.
Aston Martin disaster continues
03:29 , Flo CliffordDespite Max Verstappen’s crash taking him out of qualifying at the first hurdle, he will not start last on the grid.
Carlos Sainz’s Williams and Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin failed to even make it into qualifying as both teams scramble to get the car in a fit state for Sunday’s race.
More below:
Adrian Newey doubles down on Aston Martin’s F1 mess: ‘I feel powerless’
George Russell after claiming pole:
03:20 , Kieran JacksonOn race: “A lot of the simple things like race starts, pit-stops are a lot more challenging with these new cars. Who knows what’s going to happen tomorrow?
“We’ll work hard tonight we’re in the best place possible.”
F1 2026 grid photo:
03:17 , Kieran JacksonHere’s your 22 drivers for the season-opener in Melbourne!
Lando Norris, who qualified sixth:
03:09 , Kieran Jackson“Not very good, not very nice. I think George will be the only one saying it was nice.
“Just inconsistent. It’s just tricky, I’ve been a bit on the back foot, a lot of issues on the car. Trying to work through them and you just try to minimise them, luck’s not been on my side. I was actually pretty happy with the position in the end, I was figuring out how to drive the car.
On race laps compared to qualifying laps: “It already sucks so it’s probably going to be even worse.”
Verstappen calls on FIA to make changes after dismal qualifying
03:00 , Kieran JacksonVerstappen described his crash as “weird” given a random rear-axle failure and has called on the FIA to make some changes, given the regularity of drivers having to shift down a gear before the end of a straight after maxing out power.
The sound of the engine, no less, is somewhat excruciating on the broadcast.
“I mean, you can make up your mind, but I think, if you look at the onboard, you’ll see I’m right,” he said. “There’s nothing that you can do.
“You can only make it slower, and then, of course, you get a bit more of a normal speed trace, but it’s a slower speed trace.”
Lewis Hamilton, after qualifying seventh:
02:55 , Kieran Jackson“It was not the best qualifying but I’ve felt solid all weekend, feel happy in the car and super motivated. Up until the end of Q1 it felt great, third or fourth on medium tyre. In Q2 we had some problems with the engine and deployment, some spanners in the mix.
“If we didn’t have an issue, we could have qualified third or fourth, I don’t think we can catch Mercedes.”
Were you surprised by the gap to Mercedes? “No.”
On Mercedes’s pace: “What’s clear is that they didn’t show the engine power through any of the practice, all the compression ratio [stuff], they’ve done a solid job with their engine.
“I want to understand... it was two-tenths or more just through power in the first sector. If it’s the compression ratio, I want to understand why the FIA haven’t done anything. But if not, then we have to do a better job.”
F1 driver parade photos
02:53 , Kieran JacksonThe first ceremonial lap of the season has just taken place in Melbourne!
Oscar Piastri, after qualifying fifth:
02:40 , Kieran Jackson“Mercedes was a bit of a surprise just how far ahead they are. Maybe third could have been on the cards but with this cars, you change something lap to lap and you end up with less power, it goes in the direction you don’t expect. Plenty of us for learn - we’re roughly where we thought we would be.
On race: “No-one’s really done long runs, Mercedes have and they looked even quicker. There’s a big uncertainty on the starts, qualifying might not be the be all and end all, we need to get that right.”
Isack Hadjar after qualifying third:
02:29 , Kieran Jackson“It was a very smooth qualifying, the run-up the whole weekend was difficult, we’re not in position to fight for top-three, I thought McLaren and Ferrari were clear of myself, but we built-up to it and it was a good lap.
“The only thing I can do is a better start, but they’re just too fast at the moment. A second podium would be cool!”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, after his team's one-two finish:
02:15 , Kieran Jackson“I’m so happy that those messy ground-effect cars have gone and we do what we’re good at. The mechanics did an awesome job, the car [Kimi’s] looked like a Lego car two hours before. I said we wouldn’t make it, Max went off and it gave us the minutes.
“Everyone will say we were sandbagging - we can’t really do that. We don’t have enough belief in understanding the cars - we’re surprised by the gap, but I’m taking it.
“George has made another step in seniority and in driving the car, it’s just how he likes it, it looks on rails, when the driver has confidence in the car, this is what it can do.”
Formula 1 ‘delays decision on two races in Middle East impacted by Iran war’
01:59 , Flo CliffordF1’s governing body, the FIA, has already postponed the Qatar curtain raiser for top sportscar category, the World Endurance Championship, that was slated to be held on March 26-28.
The last time a scheduled F1 race was canceled was in 2023, when the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in northern Italy was called off at short notice due to deadly floods in the area.
In 2022, F1 continued with its race weekend in Saudi Arabia even after Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked an oil depot during a practice session, with black smoke visible from the Jeddah circuit.
The same year, F1 canceled the Russian Grand Prix’s contract after Russia invaded neighboring Ukraine.
George Russell intends to 'make hay while the sun shines'
01:40 , Flo CliffordGeorge Russell vowed to “make hay while the sun shines” after he blitzed his world championship rivals to take a crushing pole position for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
“We thought as a team we had a really good package beneath us, but we didn’t quite think it was that good,” he said.
“I am definitely surprised by the gap. We have a really great engine, but we also have a great car, too, and that hasn’t been highlighted enough.
“We want to win, we want to be on pole, we want to dominate the weekend, but it is a really long season, and we need to get through tomorrow and have a clean race.
“And I definitely have to make hay while the sun shines. My mentality coming into this race is if we started on the front foot, it doesn’t guarantee anything. And if we started on the back foot, it doesn’t guarantee anything either.”
How can I watch it online and on TV?
01:30 , Flo CliffordThe Australian Grand Prix will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom. Sky’s coverage of Sunday’s race starts at 2:30am (GMT).
Sky Sports subscribers can watch all the action in Melbourne on the Sky Go app. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch the Australian Grand Prix then you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN roundup is here to help.
A reminder of the starting grid:
01:15 , Kieran Jackson1) George Russell
2) Kimi Antonelli
3) Isack Hadjar
4) Charles Leclerc
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Lando Norris
7) Lewis Hamilton
8) Liam Lawson
9) Arvid Lindblad
10) Gabriel Bortoleto
11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Ollie Bearman
13) Esteban Ocon
14) Pierre Gasly
15) Alex Albon
16) Franco Colapinto
17) Fernando Alonso
18) Sergio Perez
19) Valtteri Bottas
20) Max Verstappen
21) Carlos Sainz
22) Lance Stroll
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris hit out at new F1 cars: ‘They need to change’
00:59 , Kieran JacksonMax Verstappen and Lando Norris have criticised the new Formula 1 cars after both struggled at the season-opening qualifying in Australia.
Four-time F1 world champion Verstappen shockingly crashed out at the start of his first lap in Q1 after a “weird” rear-axle failure on his Red Bull car. He will start from 20th on the grid on Sunday.
Norris, who won his first championship last year, qualified sixth on the grid, behind his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. Mercedes, meanwhile, locked out the front row with George Russell on pole alongside Kimi Antonelli.
While qualifying was marred by various issues with a number of cars, the new energy deployment aspect of qualifying irritated a lot of the field. In particular, the drivers are forced to downshift at the end of straights as they max out on power, instead of simply accelerating further.
Max Verstappen and Lando Norris hit out at new F1 cars: ‘They need to change’
Verstappen had X-ray after qualifying crash
00:40 , Flo CliffordMax Verstappen confirmed he had X-rays done to assess whether he was injured after crashing hard in Q1 earlier today.
The Red Bull’s rear axle “completely locked up” when he hit the brakes going into Turn One on his first qualifying lap, sending him spinning across the gravel and into the walll.
"All good. I just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were OK, but nothing was broken," he said.
"I think it already went wrong before the downshift because I hit the pedal and as soon as I hit the pedal, because you quite quickly downshift, it already immediately locked on the peak of the brake pressure, basically. So something very weird, that's for sure."
Formula 1 ‘delays decision on two races in Middle East impacted by Iran war’
Saturday 7 March 2026 21:00 , Flo CliffordFormula One has reportedly postponed a decision on whether to cancel its April races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, as regional tensions escalate.
Both countries have been targeted in retaliatory strikes from Iran, following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, casting doubt over the events.
The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for April 12, with the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah set for April 19.
Media reports had previously indicated a decision was expected during this weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Formula 1 officials met on Friday at Albert Park in Melbourne, and Racing Bulls chief executive Peter Bayer said no decision had been made and there is no deadline in place.
Formula 1 ‘delays decision on two races in Middle East impacted by Iran war’
When is the Australian Grand Prix?
Saturday 7 March 2026 19:00 , Flo CliffordAll times GMT
Saturday 7 March
- Qualifying: 5am
Sunday 8 March
- Race: 4am
Lewis Hamilton suspicious of Mercedes ‘engine power’ after disappointing Australian GP qualifying
Saturday 7 March 2026 12:00 , Kieran JacksonLewis Hamilton has hinted that Mercedes’s engine power advantage could still be a result of the compression ratio saga which dominated pre-season after the Silver Arrows dominated qualifying in Australia.
F1 title favourite George Russell claimed a dominant pole position in Melbourne with teenager teammate Kimi Antonelli, who crashed earlier in practice, locking out the front row in second place. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was next-best in third after Max Verstappen dramatically crashed out early on.
As for Ferrari, they were handicapped by energy deployment issues in qualifying, with Charles Leclerc managing fourth on the grid - but Hamilton will start the season-opener down in seventh.
Mercedes have found an engine loophole with this new breed of car, which will be negated by the start of June after a recent FIA ruling. However, Hamilton is still suspicious of just how his former team have such an advantage.
Full quotes below:
Hamilton suspicious of Mercedes ‘engine power’ after poor Australia qualifying
Arvid Lindblad, after qualifying ninth on his F1 debut:
Saturday 7 March 2026 11:00 , Kieran Jackson“It’s much better then I or the team expected, having two cars in Q3 wasn’t really the objective
“Everyone’s done a very good job in the team. To have my debut qualifying go so well is really cool.
On race: ”We’ll be trying to understand everything we can, there’ll be many unknowns, we’ve got to stay open-minded and adapt to the situations.”
Max Verstappen, after his crash:
Saturday 7 March 2026 07:59 , Kieran JacksonWhat happened? “Good question. I didn’t speak to the team yet or any data, but to lose the car like that under braking - I’ve never had that in my life. Definitely a bit weird.
“I think it went wrong before the downshift, I hit the pedal, it locked on the peak of the brake pressure, something very weird. [Never] in my life, this is really weird.
On the race, getting points? “That’s the target, there are so many unknowns we need to get on top of. We’ll see tomorrow what we can do.”
Full starting grid:
Saturday 7 March 2026 07:41 , Kieran Jackson1) George Russell
2) Kimi Antonelli
3) Isack Hadjar
4) Charles Leclerc
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Lando Norris
7) Lewis Hamilton
8) Liam Lawson
9) Arvid Lindblad
10) Gabriel Bortoleto
11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Ollie Bearman
13) Esteban Ocon
14) Pierre Gasly
15) Alex Albon
16) Franco Colapinto
17) Fernando Alonso
18) Sergio Perez
19) Valtteri Bottas
20) Max Verstappen
21) Carlos Sainz
22) Lance Stroll
What time is the Australian Grand Prix?
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:57 , Kieran JacksonThe race in Melbourne starts at 4am (GMT) on Sunday.
Kimi Antonelli after claiming P2:
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:46 , Kieran Jackson“It’s been a very stressful day, I went into the wall in FP3 but the mechanics today were the heroes, we couldn’t even set up the car but managed to put it on the front row, pretty happy with that.
“It was not easy, I had to dig deep, need to have a clean weekend next time, definitely compromised qualifying but we have a race tomorrow to look ahead, a good result is possible.”
A reminder: Antonelli will have to see the stewards due to that cooling device incident.
Top-10 in Australian GP qualifying
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:30 , Kieran Jackson1) George Russell
2) Kimi Antonelli
3) Isack Hadjar
4) Charles Leclerc
5) Oscar Piastri
6) Lando Norris
7) Lewis Hamilton
8) Liam Lawson
9) Arvid Lindblad
10) Gabriel Bortoleto
George Russell on team radio:
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:25 , Kieran Jackson“Great job, well done team, well done for getting Kimi’s car out as well, awesome effort.”
George Russell on pole position
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:22 , Kieran JacksonRussell goes quicker and gets it done - and it’s a Mercedes front row, for now!
Kimi Antonelli is 0.293 secs back in second, with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar in third.
4-10: Hadjar, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Lindblad, Bortoleto
Statement made.
Can anyone beat Russell?
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:17 , Kieran JacksonWe shall see. They’re all out on track, preparing for the final laps of the session...
George Russell on provisional pole
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:15 , Kieran JacksonRussell clear of the rest so far, even with a slower time than Q2!
Norris is five-tenths off, with Hadjar in third for Red Bull.
4-6: Leclerc, Piastri, Hamilton
Antonelli made a mistake, while Lindblad and Lawson opted to stay in the garage and will set just one lap.
Advantage George...
Q3 back underway
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:11 , Kieran JacksonSo we’ll see what happens to Antonelli afterwards...
Meanwhile, Norris’s car is fine and we have nine cars back out on track.
PHOTO: Norris driving over device
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:09 , Kieran Jackson
Mercedes in trouble
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:07 , Kieran JacksonGiven another car drove over the cooling device - and McLaren are working hard on Norris’s car - Mercedes and Antonelli could get a grid penalty.
Session resuming in three minutes.
RED FLAG
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:04 , Kieran JacksonWhat a screw-up from Mercedes!
A cooling device was left on Kimi Antonelli’s car as he left the pits!
And Lando Norris drove right over it with his front-left tyre.
Debris on track. RED FLAG with 9:47 left - no times on the board.
Q3 underway
Saturday 7 March 2026 06:01 , Kieran JacksonSo just nine drivers are involved in the first pole position shootout of the season:
Drivers involved: Russell, Leclerc, Antonelli, Piastri, Norris, Hamilton, Lindblad, Lawson, Hadjar
Positions 11-22
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:58 , Kieran Jackson11) Nico Hulkenberg
12) Ollie Bearman
13) Esteban Ocon
14) Pierre Gasly
15) Alex Albon
16) Franco Colapinto
17) Fernando Alonso
18) Sergio Perez
19) Valtteri Bottas
20) Max Verstappen
21) Carlos Sainz
22) Lance Stroll
Bortoleto won't make Q3
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:56 , Kieran JacksonAh, Gabriel.
A transmission issue means his Audi car has sparked out. And given he didn’t quite make it into the pits, he’s been wheeled away from the pits and theere’l be just nine cars in the Q3 shootout!
Bortoleto stops in pit-entry
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:55 , Kieran JacksonGosh, almost a huge crash after Q2!
Lindblad speeds into the pit-entry, avoids teammate Lawson but Bortoleto stops in the pit-lane, having qualified P10!
Lindblad into the top-10
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:53 , Kieran JacksonIt’s been a very impressive showing from the British rookie so far - and he’s through to Q3!
Gabriel Bortoleto also sneaks in ahead of his teammate Nico Hulkenberg!
Bottom-six and out in Q2: Hulkenberg, Bearman, Ocon, Gasly, Albon, Colapinto
Top-3: Russell, Leclerc, Antonelli
Hamilton goes sixth
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:48 , Kieran JacksonMuch-needed for Lewis, he gets out of the bottom-six.
Two minutes left. Final laps coming in.
Current bottom-six (11-16): Bortoleto, Ocon, Gasly, Bearman, Albon, Colapinto
George Russell fastest
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:43 , Kieran JacksonFirst man all weekend to go into the 1:18s as Russell goes top by six-tenths to Piastri and Antonelli.
Lewis Hamilton had a problem on his flying lap and, with seven minutes left, is last on the leaderboard.
Current bottom-fix (11-16): Gasly, Bearman, Albon, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Hamilton
Q2 underway
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:37 , Kieran JacksonTime for Q2 then - we’ll again lose the slowest six now this year, so that’s from P11-16.
Aston Martin on Lance Stroll's qualifying absence
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:34 , Kieran JacksonAston spokesperson: “Lance’s car was not ready for qualifying. There was not enough time to rebuild the car after the issues this morning.”
PHOTO: Verstappen crash
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:32 , Kieran Jackson
Fernando Alonso is out
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:29 , Kieran JacksonIt looked like Alonso would sneak through in 16th, but Franco Colapinto gets it done right at the end!
Bottom-six (17-22) and out in Q1: Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Verstappen, Sainz, Stroll
Top-3: Russell, Piastri, Hamilton
Sainz and Stroll not out on track
Saturday 7 March 2026 05:25 , Kieran JacksonThe Williams and the Aston Martin has not even left the pits.
Both Cadillac boys in the bottom-six at the moment.
Current bottom-six (17-22): Colapinto, Perez, Bottas, Verstappen, Sainz, Stroll
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
