Antonelli on 2. Ferrari only 3–4

Mercedes started the 2026 season in the best possible way, one that came with a number of major rule changes. The Mercedes drivers started the race first and had work only in the first part of it, then taking advantage of a Virtual Safety Car, but also of the superior capacity of the engine, defeating the rivals from Ferrari.

Spectacular start in Australia's MP

Russell and Antonelli started from the top two positions, but had a complicated start. That's because the Ferrari, as it showed in the tests, starts excellently. And in the first corner, Leclerc, starting from 4th, was the leader, in front of Russell and Hamilton, starting from 7th. Although he was the 6th car on the grid, because the Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren) violently hit a parapet in the reconnaissance laps before the start and stayed in the pits.

Antonelli didn't have a very happy start either, going from 2nd to 7th.

The following laps were extremely spectacular, with Leclerc and Russell swapping positions with each other several times, and Hamilton and Antonelli coming from behind.

Mercedes took advantage of Ferrari's apathy

In the 13th lap, the stewards decided to introduce the Virtual Safety Car, after the abandonment of Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), forcing the cars to go more slowly. Mercedes reacted immediately and called Russell and Antonelli to the pits to fit the hard tires, the ones that last the most. This while none of the Ferrari drivers pitted, to the disappointment of Hamilton, who told the team: “At least one of us had to go in.”

After the race resumed under normal conditions, Leclerc and Hamilton were in first place, with Russell in 3rd, 10 seconds adrift of second place. Gradually, the Brit melted away from his rivals.

On lap 28, Leclerc pitted and exited in 4th place, even behind Antonelli, only for Hamilton to enter two laps later after Russell overtook him.

Mercedes in control

The last 30 laps were perfect for Mercedes. Russell and Antonelli were in first place, well clear of their Ferrari rivals. Leclerc and Hamilton could not take advantage of the newer tires and did not come close to the top two places.

2019it was the last year Mercedes finished the first race of the year in the top two places

Russell handled the tires superbly until the end and won the race outright, proving that he and Mercedes are favorites to win both world titles this season.

“I love this car, I love this engine,” said George Russell immediately after crossing the finish line.

Max Verstappen couldn't recover enough, Lindblad took points on debut

Starting from 20th place, Dutchman Max Verstappen finished the race in 6th place, behind last year's rival, Lando Norris (McLaren).

Oliver Bearman, debutant Arvid Lindblad, Gabriel Bortoleto and Pierre Gasly also finished in the top 10.

MP Ranking of Australia

1. George Russell
2. Kimi Antonelli
3. Charles Leclerc
4. Lewis Hamilton
5. Landon Norris
6. Max Verstappen
7. Oliver Bearman
8. Arvid Lindblad
9. Gabriel Bortoleto
10. Pierre Gasly
11. Esteban Ocon
12. Alexander Albon
13. Liam Lawson
14. Franco Colapinto
15. Carlos Sainz
16. Sergio Perez
17. Lance Stroll
18. Fernando Alonso – abandoned
19. Valtteri Bottas – abandonment
20. Isack Hadjar – dropout
21. Oscar Piastri – did not start
22. Nico Hulkenberg – did not start

I feel very well. It was an incredible fight at the beginning, I knew it was going to be complicated. It seemed impossible to stay in first place for the first few laps, no matter who was first. I am very happy that I crossed the finish line first. I want to thank the team for this car.

–George Russell

It's the best start to the season. I lost a lot of places at the beginning and had to catch up. But overall it was a very good race with excellent pace, especially at the end. Now I can't wait for the next race.

– Kimi Antonelli

It was a very complicated race. At first, no one knew what would happen with all those overruns. It was a challenge. It was nice to be first, but I couldn't last until the end. 3rd place is the maximum we could hope for today. Even without the Virtual Safety Car I couldn't have kept up with the Mercedes. She was faster than us. Not as fast as Saturday, but still a difference.

– Charles Leclerc

Overall ranking of pilots

1. George Russell – 25 points
2. Kimi Antonelli – 18
3. Charles Leclerc – 15
4. Lewis Hamilton – 12
5. Landon Norris – 10 points
6. Max Verstappen – 8 points
7. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
8. Arvid Lindblad – 4 points
9. Gabriel Bortoleto – 2 points
10. Pierre Gasly – 1 point
11. Esteban Ocon – 0 points
12. Alexander Albon – 0 points
13. Liam Lawson – 0 points
14. Franco Colapinto – 0 points
15. Carlos Sainz – 0 points
16. Sergio Perez – 0 points
17. Isack Hadjar – 0 points
18. Oscar Piastri – 0 points
19. Nico Hulkenberg – 0 points
20. Fernando Alonso – 0 points
21. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
22. Lance Stroll – 0 points

General ranking of builders

1. Mercedes – 43 points
2. Ferrari – 27 points
3. McLaren – 10 points
4. Red Bull – 8 points
5. Racing Bulls – 6 points
6. Audi – 4 points
7. Alpine – 2 points
8. Williams – 1 point
9. Cadillac – 0 points
10. Aston Martin – 0 points