The 2026 Formula 1 season opened in spectacular fashion at Albert Park, Melbourne, where Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team’s George Russell and Kimi Antonelli delivered a commanding 1–2 finish for Mercedes. It was the team’s 61st one-two in Formula 1 and the first achieved with a full line-up from its junior program—a statement of intent for the year ahead.
Race at a glance
| Driver | Grid | Result | Fastest Lap |
|---|---|---|---|
| George Russell | P1 | P1 | 1:22.670 |
| Kimi Antonelli | P2 | P2 | 1:22.417 |
Strategy
- Russell: Medium → Hard (Lap 12)
- Antonelli: Medium → Hard (Lap 12)
It wasn’t a straightforward afternoon. Both drivers struggled off the line with low battery deployment—Russell slipping to second, Antonelli tumbling to seventh. The Italian rookie fought back immediately, climbing to fourth behind Russell and the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.
Up front, Russell and Leclerc staged a thrilling duel, swapping the lead multiple times before a Virtual Safety Car on lap 12 reshaped the race. Mercedes pitted both cars for Hard tires, while Ferrari stayed out. From there, Russell managed his pace brilliantly, Antonelli held his ground, and together they delivered a dominant finish.
George Russell
“That wasn’t a straightforward afternoon, but this win feels very sweet! We had a chaotic start and a stressful fight with Charles, but hopefully it was a good show for the fans.
The strategy team made a great call under the VSC, and I’m really happy we could take the victory and the 1–2. It’s the perfect way to start the season.”
Kimi Antonelli
“What an afternoon and what a weekend! The start was tough with low battery, but our recovery was strong. Fighting back to the Ferraris and then securing the 1–2 feels incredible.
We’ve learned a lot about the car and the new regulations, and now I’m excited to see what we can do in Shanghai.”
Team leadership
“It is great to see Mercedes back at the front of the field at the opening race. The teams at Lauda Drive and Morgan Drive have done a brilliant job to get our package to Australia in such a strong place. To take a solid 1–2 in race one hopefully means we can fight for the championship.
There’s plenty to improve, but this is exactly how we wanted to start the year.”
Mercedes leaves Melbourne with momentum, Ferrari with determination, and Filipino fans with unforgettable memories of a race day that blended global drama with local celebration. Next stop: Shanghai, where the Chinese Grand Prix will host the first Sprint weekend of 2026.
In the Philippines, beIN SPORTS PH brought the race to life with an official watch party at Monza Barcade, Pasig. Around 200 fans joined the celebration, highlighted by an International Women’s Day simulator challenge.
Thanks to beIN SPORTS PH, every lap, every duel, and every victory will be shared—live, in HD, and together.