"Sketchy racing": Russell wins but calls for change

• Oscar Piastri crashed before the race started
• Hulkenberg's Audi also didn't start the race
• Hadjar's race ended on Lap 12
• Bottas out of the race Lap 19
• Alonso retired Lap 37

It wasn’t the race Aussie fans wanted with Oscar Piastri ruled out before the cars had even reached the starting grid, but Melbourne certainly delivered on the entertainment front.

As predicted, Mercedes – who had dominated the weekend – secured a one-two with Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari completing the podium in a race that had no fewer than 12 leader changes.

For the first time since 2016, 22 cars were meant to start the race, only 20 made it with Nico Hulkenberg joining Piastri in pitlane before lights out.

Twenty cars started and 17 completed it; Isack Hadjar, Valtteri Bottas and Fernando Alonso the other retirements.

"I'm feeling incredible," Russell said afterwards. "It was a hell of a fight at the beginning, we knew it would be challenging. I had a bad start and had some tight battles with Charles.

"It's been a long time coming to have a car like this. We couldn't have started in a better way.

"We had a suspicion it would be a yo-yo effect. When one got in front it felt impossible to hold it. The FIA are going to have to improve that a bit it made it a bit sketchy."

Three virtual safety cars presented numerous opportunity for strategies to be altered but ultimately the Mercedes duo stuck to their plan of a one-stop.

It paid off despite issues with the medium compound tyres.

As for Ferrari, there were opportunities to pit under the VSC that they let pass, but third is what Leclerc believes was the best they could have hoped for.

"At the start I don't think anyone knew what to expect," he said. "It's so tricky. You don't know what your battery is going to cut. So when defending there is massive speed differences.

"I was happy to get out of the battle in first but it was a fun first part. P3 is the best we could have got today.

"The person that is switching off the lights, it was so quick, I think it took everyone by surprise. That played into our hands but that is part of the game."

Australia's wait for a home grown winner will stretch into a 44th year.

FINISHING ORDER:

1. Russell
2. Antonelli
3. Leclerc
4. Hamilton
5. Norris
6. Verstappen
7. Bearman
8. Lindblad
9. Bortoleto
10. Gasly
11. Ocon
12. Albon
13. Lawson
14. Colapinto
15. Sainz
16. Perez
17. Stroll
18. Alonso DNF
19. Bottas DNF
20. Hadjar DNF
21. Piastri DNS
22. Hulkenberg DNS

GEORGE RUSSELL WINS THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.

It's a Mercedes one-two with Kimi Antonelli coming home strong and Charles Leclerc completing the podium.

"It's been a long time since we have been here," Russell said on the radio. "This is well deserved for all the efforts. I love this car, I like this engine."

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, Norris held on for 5th and Verstappen took 6th.

LAP 51 STROLL BACK OUT

Aston Martin have done it again. They didn't have a double retirement, now they're just testing. Stroll is back out there. Presumably needed a break or something. But this is all obviously just for research and intel. He's 12 laps back.

Up front nothing has changed, this is just a fight to get to the end in the order we're in.

LAP 46 RUSSELL LEADS

Strap yourselves in chaps, Mercedes are adamant they are going to the end on these tyres.

Behind the top four, Norris in fifth is being warned about Verstappen who is creeping up behind him on fresh tyres. I don't think the McLaren stands much of a chance there.

1-10 RUS, ANT< LEC, HAM< NOR, VER, BEAR, LIN, BOR, GAS

LAP 42 RUSSELL LEADS

The Linblad v Bearman battle for 7th is absolutley epic. Rookie v 20205 rookie, I love watching former F2 drivers scrap. They just go for it, no fear.

Up front, Russell has a six second advantage on his teammate while Ferrari have slipped but remains 3rd and 4th (Leclerc then Hamilton).

Verstappen has pitted from fifth - dont forget he was 20th on the grid so any points are great points for him.

LAP 37 ALONSO RETIRES - AGAIN

OK for sure this time, Alonso is out of the race. Made it about 26 laps - he was 10 or so behind the pace. Lance Stroll has also been called into to the pits to end his race.

Both Aston Martins out the race but they will maybe be pleased with how many laps they managed? Slim pickings for something to be happy about over there huh?

16 cars left.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR LAP 35

Debris on track at turn 8 and that could have been a gift for Mercedes but the VSC seems short and swift. No time for anyone to pit.

LAP 32 RUSSELL LEADS

Mercedes No 1 driver now confident he can complete the race on a one-stop. Glad he is, I'm not and neither is Kimi Antonelli who said "that will be brave" when asked for his thoughts.

Not written much about the McLarens. If you're just joining then you will maybe be across the news that Piastri crashed out before he even got to the start line and Norris seems, to have very little to be honest. He's not complaining on the radio but he's also not got much int he way of speed.

He's got Verstappen on his tail at the moment.

LAP 28 RUSSELL LEADS

Hamilton is finally in the pits. Verstappen is ont he radio saying his tyres are "terrible" he has had them on for nine laps - so one to watch there.

Alonso is 10+ laps behind but still racing. If he can still feel his hands in 16 laps time he could pinch a cheeky point if another 8 cars retire.

LAP 26 LECLERC LEADS

In news none of us thought I would write, Alonso is back on the track? We were told he had retired but he is back on track. What is happening?

Alonso is on track but has not done as many laps as Bottas who is out of the race. WILD.

In other news, Leclerc has pitted, Hamilton stayed out.

ZAC BROWN MCLAREN BOSS ON PIASTRI

We have not seen anything on the data so far and he didn’t say anything on the radio.

“We will do a post mortem after the race. For now, we have to focus on the car we have in the race. This is disappointing for Oscar at his home race.

“I’m sure he will be sore about that one for a while, but these drivers know how to recover quickly. It’s not the way he would want to get started.”

Full Story:

LAP 21 LECLERC LEADS

1-10 LEC, HAM, RUS, ANT, NOR, VER, LIN, BEA, BOR, GAS

Lindblad v Verstappen battle for 6th is the kind of f\racing I'm here for. Rookie vs four time world champion, and while it's gone max's way, the young Brit should be so proud of his debut weekend he's having a banger.

Hamilton radios Ferrari and says do not box me at the same time as Charles.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR LAP 19

Another car bites the dust and it's the Cadillac of Valtteri Bottas. Ferrari SURELY going to pit now.

We are down to 17 cars. Brundle's prediction that only 10 finish this race isn't looking so unrealistic now.

Pitlane entry closes and Ferrari have squandered ANOTHER chance to pit.

LAP 17 RACING BACK ON

OK the race resumes in Melbourne and we are down to 18 cars. Leclerc an dHamilton leads with both Mercedes behind them.

Incredibly, Verstappen is up to 6th but his front left tyre is destroyed. The hard tyre looks to be problematic and that is not good news for Mercedes.

Word from the pitlane is the Silver Arrows will have to do a two stop.

LAP 15 ALONSO OUT OF THE RACE

We are down another driver and this one is not a surprise. Fernando Alonso told to stop the car.

Aston Martin had warned they were unlikely to finish the race owing to issues with the car that posed permanent damage to their drivers if they drove too long.

Alonso down, Stroll still driving.

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR LAP 12

Hadjar is OUT of the race so we are down to 19 cars left on the track. And that is heart breaking for him on his Red Bull debut, he was having a ripper of a weekend.

Norris told to pit. Both mercedes have come in but the Ferraris stayed out which is a mega question mark.

Hamilton voicing his displeasure with that on the radio telling the team "at least one of us should have come in" and he's not wrong.

But Ferrari like to get strategy wrong don't they.

Seven changes of lead in the first 10 laps....

LAP 8 RUSSELL LEADS-THEN LECLERC

The fourth change of leader this race - bit more interesting than in previous season isn't it? No sooner do I write that does Leclerc get the lead back for a fifth change.

Awesome racing up front but Russell is in a Ferrari sandwich and getting frustrated. I'd say we have two prancing horses leading very shortly. A huge lock up from Russell may have just screwed his tyres.

LAP 5 LECLERC LEADS

The yo-yo effect of these new power boosts and engine capabilities coming into play...the Ferrari take back the lead but the constant battle between Leclerc and Russell may actually end up favouring Hamilton who is in third.

Antonelli is working is way back from a dreadful start and is currently fourth.

Further back, Verstappen, who you will remember crashed out in Q1 yesterday, is up to 11th from 20th. We all know what he can do from the back of the grid.

LAP 2 RUSSELL LEADS

Russell has snatched his lead back from Leclerc, the Mercedes has the speed the Ferrari can only dream of. But Russell using the boost means he's used the battery power for the next lap so is vulnerable, man it's going to take me a few races to get used to all this new lingo.

"Where you need the full battery s coming out of turn 6 because that's where the long straights start," Brundle on Sky F1.

Hadjar on the radio reporting engine issues.

WE ARE RACING

OK so much has happened on that race start...Charles Leclerc had a brtilliant start and leads this race. Isack Hadjar had an insane start, kimi Antonelli had a disaster, Lewis Hamilton found the grass but WOW Ferrari, that was wild.

Leclerc leads from Russell and Hamilton third after that opening lap.

22 becomes 20

Race has not even started yet and we are tow cars down. Joining Piastri in the pits is Nico Hulkenberg whose Audi has just been pushed back into the garage.

PIASTRI IS OUT OF THE RACE

Piastri has lost control of the car on turn 4 and has sustained significant damage on the formation lap - he will not race.

He is out of the car and looks fine but the same cannot be said about his car, the front left totally blown apart.

Piastri was waiting for the queue of cars to move from in front of him. His head was being thrust forward and back very aggressively as he shifted. The car was clunky.

He was on the radio saying he had no battery. Looks mechanical and driver error.

"Did something happen? Or he just broke down?" Lando Norris asked ont he radio.

"He lost it on the exit kerb at turn four doing a shift," was the response.

Watch what happened:

F1 new cars "suck" and are "worst" ever

Fans might be relishing the new regulations and how it will shake up the grid but three world champions have slammed the current fleet of F1 cars as the worst ever.

Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris have slammed the regulation overhaul.

Reigning world champion Norris said his car "sucks" and is the "worst" ever made while Hamilton says the new rules are “completely against” F1 principles.

“We’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula One and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst. It sucks,” Norris said on Saturday. “Everyone knows what the issues are. It’s just the fact it’s a 50-50 split (between power from the combustion engine and electrical energy).”

Hamilton echoed his sentiments saying: “The power’s good when you’ve got it, it’s just it doesn’t last.

"We start the lap, half throttle coming through the last corner, and a third, a quarter of a straight, and then you go to full throttle.

"It’s completely against what Formula One is about– flat-out, full attack – and you’re lifting and coasting and stuff. That element is not very good and I don’t think the drivers particularly like it.”

The comments from all three haven't gone down well with F1 CEO and president Stefano Domenicali.

“I think it’s wrong, in general terms, to talk bad about our incredible world that is allowing all of us to grow. And that’s the only thing that I will say is not right,” he said.

“But, I always listen. Prudency. There is an evolution, evolution of driving. It means that the best driver will be able to be the fastest.”

Expect chaos

F1 expert Martin Brundle who is predicting more chaos on Sunday.

With such extreme changes to the cars, the start of this race may well end many people's campaigns before they get started.

22 cars are expected on the grid - who knows is Aston Martin will make it - Brundle reckons less than half make it to the end.

"We will see everyone that finishes tomorrow’s race finish in the points," he said during qualifying. "I think only 10 cars finish this race. Some cars might no make the start let alone the finish."

How they start:

1. George Russell
2. Kimi Antonelli
3. Isack Hadjar
4. Charles Leclerc
5. Oscar Piastri - OUT OF RACE
6. Lando Norris
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Arvid Lindblad
9. Liam Lawson
10. Gabriel Bortoleto
11. Nico Hulkenberg
12. Ollie Bearman
13. Esteban Ocon
14. Pierre Gasly
15. Alex Albon
16. Franco Colapinto
17. Fernando Alonso
18. Sergio Perez
19. Valterri Bottas
20. Max Verstappen
21. Carlos Sainz
22. Lance Stroll

SATURDAY SURPRISES

Surprise number one came in the form of Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli destroying his car in the third practice session leaving many doubting if he would make it to qualifying.

Surprise number two came in the form of Max Verstappen crashing out in Q1 and being unable to resume the session meaning the four-time world champion will start Sunday’s race from 20th on the grid.

The red flag brought about by Verstappen’s crash gifted Mercedes an extra five minutes to get Antonelli’s car somewhat back together meaning that against all odds he participated in qualifying – that was surprise number three.

Number four came in Q3 when parts of Antonelli’s car started falling off on the track only for Lando Norris to drive over them and damage his own car meaning Mercedes looks set for a mammoth fine before the lights go out on Sunday.

Somehow the Italian secured a front row lockout with Russell – the final surprise of the afternoon.

Then came the predictable chaos; Lance Stroll didn’t even get in his car – adding to Aston Martin’s dismal season so far.

Carlos Sainz also didn’t drive meaning they will start from the back of the grid.

While the experts had all tipped Mercedes to impress on the opening weekend of the 2026 season, Piastri admitted he was taken aback by their speed.

“I think with Mercedes, it was a bit of a surprise just how far ahead they are,” the Aussie said after qualifying fifth. “For us, maybe 3rd could have been on the cards, it was a bit scrappy.

"But these cars; you change something a little bit you end up with more power or less power, things don’t always go the way you expect.

“There is plenty to learn. We are roughly where we thought we would be.”

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED:

Ahead of the race, Piastri is warning fans to expect the unexpected – particularly when it comes to the start of the race.

“There’s a big uncertainty with the starts and how competitive everyone is,” he continued. “So qualifying might not be the be all and end all. We have to try and get that right.

“We have shown how fast we can turn things around but this season wont be won by who is first in the first race. There will be a lot of learning and whoever can get on top of that quickest in a long season will be the no 1 driver.”