When the 2026 F1 regulations were introduced, we were promised closer racing. And what did we get at the first race of the new season? Plenty of action.
Indeed, Albert Park hosted the most entertaining Australian Grand Prix in recent years, kicking off the new era in style.
Early battle sets the tone
George Russell converted pole position into victory to win the opening race of the 2026 F1 campaign, leading a dominant Mercedes performance at Albert Park.
The British driver had to work hard for the win, though, especially in the early stages when Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc briefly took the lead after a strong start.
Leclerc’s car looked quick in the opening laps, and the two drivers traded positions as they battled for control of the race.
Lewis Hamilton, now in his second year at Ferrari, also ran near the front early on, creating an intense three-way fight that set the tone for the afternoon.
The race began with drama even before the lights went out.
Local favourite Oscar Piastri crashed on the formation lap, forcing him out of the race before it had properly begun.
It was a disappointing moment for the home crowd and immediately added an element of unpredictability to the season opener.
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Mercedes deliver dominant one-two finish
Mercedes eventually gained the upper hand thanks to smart strategy during a virtual safety car period.
The team double-stacked their drivers in the pit lane at the right moment, allowing Russell to regain track position ahead of the Ferraris.
From that point on, he controlled the race and steadily built a gap to the chasing pack.
Behind him, rookie team-mate Kimi Antonelli delivered an impressive drive to finish second and secure a Mercedes one-two finish.
Charles Leclerc completed the podium in third and Hamilton followed in fourth after being unable to find a way past his team-mate in the closing stages.
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Verstappen recovery highlights action-packed opener
Reigning world champion Lando Norris started the season with a fifth-place finish for McLaren, while Max Verstappen produced one of the drives of the day.
The Red Bull driver started 20th after problems in qualifying but fought his way through the field to finish sixth.
Further down the order, there were strong performances from Haas driver Oliver Bearman and Racing Bulls debutant Arvid Lindblad, both of whom scored valuable points.
However, several teams endured a difficult afternoon, with multiple retirements highlighting just how challenging the new generation of cars can be to manage.
For Mercedes, though, the race could hardly have gone better.
A pole position, a one-two finish and an early statement in the first race of the new regulations suggest the team may once again be a serious force in the championship fight.
If Melbourne was anything to go by, the new era of Formula 1 has delivered exactly what fans were promised: unpredictability, overtaking and a season that already feels wide open after just one race.
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SportJustSport writers