All the key moments from the 2026 Australian GP

Mercedes commenced the 2026 Formula 1 season with a dominant 1-2 finish at the Australian Grand Prix, as George Russell secured victory ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. The Silver Arrows had impressed in qualifying, locking out the front row, but faced a stern challenge from Ferrari in the race. Charles Leclerc initially seized the lead from Russell at the start, with Lewis Hamilton also in contention. Ferrari's strategy to stay out during two Virtual Safety Car periods, unlike Mercedes who pitted both cars, ultimately cost them an opportunity for victory, though Leclerc still secured third place with Hamilton close behind in fourth. The race was not without drama for other teams. McLaren's Oscar Piastri suffered a pre-race incident, crashing his car on the way to the grid due to a power unit issue, forcing him to withdraw from his home Grand Prix. Teammate Lando Norris salvaged a fifth-place finish. Red Bull experienced mixed fortunes; Max Verstappen, starting from 20th after a qualifying crash, showcased an impressive recovery drive to finish sixth, earning Driver of the Day despite struggling with tire graining. However, his teammate Isack Hadjar retired early from third place with a car issue. Rookies also made their mark. Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad delivered a stellar debut, scoring points in eighth place and demonstrating strong racecraft against seasoned competitors. Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto also secured points, finishing ninth despite a qualifying technical problem. Cadillac, a new entrant, saw Sergio Pérez finish 16th, while Valtteri Bottas retired, highlighting the challenges for new teams in this regulatory era. The new 2026 regulations proved effective in promoting closer racing, with a significant increase in overtakes contributing to an exciting season opener.