Lewis Hamilton returned to the Formula 1 podium in a bittersweet Australian Grand Prix for Mercedes which saw George Russell endure terrible luck.
Max Verstappen started on pole and won the race, but it wasn't quite as straightforward as his previous success. Russell got an incredible start off the line to take the lead while Hamilton also moved past the Dutchman to send British fans into raptures. A late red flag provided the chance of a two-lap shootout, but Verstappen was able to maintain his lead and avoid a late upset.
But Russell's race was later undone by a red flag and then an engine blaze, while Verstappen eventually got back ahead of Hamilton and sped off into the distance. Fernando Alonso was on course to secure a third-straight podium, but was spun on a race restart with just two laps to go as the two Alpines took each other out as part of a huge five-car smash.
