Mercedes took a 1-2 in the Australian Grand Prix kickstarting Formula 1’s new era, with polesitter George Russell winning from team-mate Kimi Antonelli as a poor strategy call meant Ferrari’s challenge unravelled.
The race started with heartbreak for the home fans as local hero Oscar Piastri crashed on his reconnaissance lap. The Melburnian lost control of his McLaren MCL40 at the exit of Turn 4, and therefore failed to start the race – like Nico Hulkenberg, whose Audi R26 encountered a problem on his way to the grid.
