Mercedes strikes hard, Leclerc on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix
The 2026 Formula 1 season got underway in spectacular fashion in Melbourne with the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, the opening round of the championship held at the Albert Park circuit. After an eventful race filled with numerous twists, George Russell took the victory ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, giving the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team a perfect one-two finish to start the season.
Behind the two Silver Arrows, Charles Leclerc secured third place for Scuderia Ferrari after a very solid race and a particularly impressive start.
A flying start for Leclerc
Starting fourth on the grid, Leclerc made a perfect launch. The Monegasque immediately moved into the lead at the first corner by overtaking Russell, triggering an intense battle between Ferrari and Mercedes in the opening laps.
For several laps, the two drivers traded the strategic advantage in a duel dictated by energy and tyre management, symbolizing the new regulatory era of Formula 1.
Strategy puts Mercedes back in front
The turning point of the race came after a Virtual Safety Car triggered by the retirement of rookie Isack Hadjar. Some teams took advantage of this neutralization to adjust their strategy, which ultimately allowed Mercedes to regain the advantage over Ferrari.
Russell then controlled the race until the checkered flag, while the young Antonelli secured second place, completing an impressive one-two finish for the German team at the season opener.
A promising Ferrari nonetheless
Even though victory slipped away, Leclerc can take several positives from this first weekend: an excellent start, competitive pace and a podium finish to begin the year. The Monegasque driver felt he had achieved “the best possible result” given the circumstances of the race.
His teammate Lewis Hamilton finished just behind in fourth place, confirming that Ferrari could well be Mercedes’ main rival this season.
Race result (Top 5)
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
- Lando Norris – McLaren
A tight championship ahead
While Mercedes made a strong statement in Melbourne, Ferrari already appears capable of fighting for victories. The duel between Russell and Leclerc could therefore become one of the key storylines of the 2026 season, which begins under new technical regulations and promises many exciting battles.