Australian Grand Prix - Race

The 2026 Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne opened the new Formula 1 season with a dramatic and strategic race. At the start, Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari made an excellent launch and briefly took the lead during the opening phase of the race.

The race turned during a Virtual Safety Car period caused by an incident involving Isack Hadjar. Mercedes reacted quickly and called both George Russell and Kimi Antonelli into the pits at the perfect moment, gaining a strategic advantage over Ferrari.

After the pit stops, Russell controlled the pace at the front while Antonelli followed closely behind, securing a strong position for the team. Leclerc remained competitive but was unable to regain track position and had to settle for third place.

Behind the podium battle, Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Ferrari, while Lando Norris brought his McLaren home in fifth place. Max Verstappen delivered an impressive recovery drive for Red Bull Racing, climbing through the field after starting near the back.

After 58 laps, George Russell crossed the finish line to win the race, leading a strong Mercedes one-two finish with Antonelli in second place and Leclerc completing the podium.