Australian Grand Prix 2026: Russell leads Mercedes 1-2
George Russell won the Australian Grand Prix by 2.974s from Andrea Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes sealed a 1-2 and Russell left round one atop the standings.
George Russell won the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit by 2.974 seconds from Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver started from pole, scored 25 points in round one on 8 March 2026, and moved to the top of the drivers' championship on 25 points.
Race
Antonelli completed a Mercedes 1-2 after starting second and finishing second for 18 points. Charles Leclerc took third for Ferrari from fourth on the grid, 15.519 seconds behind Russell, while Lewis Hamilton finished fourth from seventh and ended 16.144 seconds off the winner.
Lando Norris finished fifth for McLaren after starting sixth, and Max Verstappen climbed from 20th on the grid to sixth for Red Bull and scored eight points. Oliver Bearman took seventh for Haas F1 Team from 12th, Arvid Lindblad finished eighth for RB F1 Team from ninth, Gabriel Bortoleto was ninth for Audi from 10th, and Pierre Gasly claimed the final point in 10th for Alpine F1 Team from 14th.
Championship
The result left Russell leading the drivers' championship after the opening round with 25 points. Antonelli held second on 18 points, and Leclerc sat third on 15 points.
Fastest lap
Verstappen set the fastest lap in 1:22.091 on lap 43 during his run from the back of the grid to sixth place. Bearman, Lindblad, Bortoleto and Gasly were all classified a lap down at the finish.