MELBOURNE, Australia — George Russell won a thrilling opener for the 2026 Formula 1 season in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, with teammate Kimi Antonelli following him home in a 1-2 finish for Mercedes, after a double-stacked pit stop under the virtual safety car outmaneuvered a lightning-quick start by Ferrari.
Mercedes said this was its 132nd grand prix victory overall on the international open-wheel circuit and the team’s 61st 1-2 finish.
“We knew it was going to be challenging,” Russell said. “I go onto the grid, I saw my battery level: I have nothing in the tank, made a bad start and, honestly. some really tight battles with Charles (Leclerc).
“I was really glad to cross the finish line, but honestly, thank you so much for the whole team. because it’s been a long time coming to have this car beneath us, and I’m, yeah, going to start off in a better way.”
Russell was on pole position but had a sluggish start, as did Antonelli who dropped to seventh, allowing Ferrari’s Leclerc — making best use of his quicker getaway — to take the lead into the first turn at Albert Park.