Explore the latest developments concerning F1's new rules.
F1's new rules create 'Mario Kart' racing in Australia season opener
ESPN's Nate Saunders and Laurence Edmondson debate if the new Formula One regulations are successfully working. (2:19)
MELBOURNE, Australia — For 12 glorious laps, as George Russell and Charles Leclerc traded the lead of the Australian Grand Prix back and forth, you could have easily forgotten the furor around Formula 1's cars that dominated the opening weekend of the 2026 season.
The two drivers, both hoping this season is the year they win a first drivers' championship, thrilled the Albert Park crowd with a set of superb overtakes at various points of the racetrack. Russell and Leclerc traded blows until the intervention of the virtual safety car allowed Mercedes to pit — something Ferrari, perhaps in classic Ferrari style, opted not to do — and saw the preseason favorite eventually emerge in a comfortable one-two finish with Kimi Antonelli in second.
Russell wins action-packed Australian GP from Antonelli as Mercedes secure 1-2 finish
After a battle with Ferrari, Mercedes secured a 1-2 finish at the Australian Grand Prix, with George Russell leading home team mate Kimi Antonelli.
George Russell claimed victory in the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the Briton leading team mate Kimi Antonelli to secure a Mercedes 1-2 ahead of the Ferrari duo in an action-packed event that saw the Silver Arrows make a one-stop strategy work to their favour.
A thrilling start to the race saw Charles Leclerc surge forwards from P4 on the grid, seizing the lead from Russell before the two continued to swap positions over the next few laps. Both Mercedes cars subsequently pitted when a Virtual Safety Car was deployed due to Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar pulling off the track – while the Ferraris opted to stay out.
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Mercedes' George Russell wins F1 season opener as polarizing rule change takes effect
George Russell of Mercedes won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix from pole position on Sunday, heralding a new era for Formula 1 after a sweeping regulation change that has sparked polarizing reaction among the drivers.
Finishing in second was fellow Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
The result establishes Mercedes as the clear championship favorite at the outset of the 2026 season after its drivers qualified first and second and achieved maximum points.
It will boost Russell’s hopes of a first ever driver’s championship and his team’s prospects of winning its first constructors' title since 2021. F1 history indicates that teams that nail a new regulations set early hold a lasting advantage.
For more detailed information, explore updates concerning F1's new rules.
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