(Updated: further details)
MELBOURNE (dpa-AFX) - Amidst a shower of confetti in Australia's national colors, Mercedes driver George Russell popped the champagne corks to celebrate the dawn of Formula 1's new era. In the opening race in Melbourne, following the most significant regulatory overhaul in the history of the sport's premier class, the Englishman even fended off a rocket start from Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, fueling the Silver Arrows' hopes of returning to a glorious era of their own.
"I love this car, I love this engine," Russell beamed after his sixth Grand Prix victory, as gold and green confetti drifted across the start-finish straight at the Albert Park Circuit. "You are incredible," the Mercedes pit wall replied, a sentiment also directed at Kimi Antonelli, whose second-place finish secured the Silver Arrows' 61st one-two victory in Formula 1.
T-shirts emblazoned with "P1"
"There is so much satisfaction in this team," said Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, reflecting on the past four "very difficult" years. "We have the championship fight in our hands. That is the prevailing feeling." Deservedly, the Silver Arrow staff then donned T-shirts emblazoned with "P1."
The Mercedes performance was a powerful statement. Leclerc (+15.5 seconds) and teammate Lewis Hamilton (+16.1 seconds) were unable to match the leading pace. Not to mention the distant defending champion Lando Norris, who finished fifth, already 51.7 seconds behind Russell, despite the Englishman driving a Mercedes-powered McLaren.
Are the Ferrari strategists off the mark?
Fans Down Under were treated to a spectacular overture featuring numerous overtaking maneuvers and five retirements. However, the feared chaos regarding the modified starting procedures failed to materialize. Italy's "Gazzetta dello Sport" recognized a "certain realignment of values."
In contrast, Ferrari's pit wall once again made questionable decisions. An earlier tire change might have helped the Scuderia to an opening victory. "We need to analyze whether that would have been better after all," remarked record world champion Hamilton, who finished fourth in the second Ferrari, just missing the podium behind his newly married teammate Leclerc.
Verstappen retreats into sarcasm
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen was far from pleased. After starting in 20th position, the Dutchman in the Red Bull at least managed to work his way up to sixth. He made little effort to hide his frustration with the new generation of cars, masking it with sarcastic remarks. "It was a lot of fun. It was actually a top race," Verstappen said with a grin.
To make the races more entertaining, at least for him, much would have to change - essentially the entire identity of the new cars. Verstappen simply prefers full-throttle racing over calculated management.
Hülkenberg as a spectator
The Red Bull star and his team now have work to do. "Ultimately, it doesn't matter if you are the third-fastest or fourth-best. We are aiming for the top," Verstappen said. "I hope we can close the gap over the course of the season, because at the moment it is still quite large."
Audi, in its debut as a works team, had to endure an exit even before the start for Nico Hülkenberg. Technical problems forced the German into the garage. Even from there, the only German driver in the field was unable to join the action.
91 days between old and new
Under the watchful eye of Audi boss Gernot Döllner, it was initially a frustrating start. However, Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto managed to secure points immediately with a ninth-place finish. "I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved," said team principal Jonathan Wheatley. "This is a historic day for us."
Ninety-one days lay between the farewell to the old regulations at the Abu Dhabi finale and the new beginning at the other end of the world. Leclerc made the best use of the new starting phase - with a five-second buffer before the red lights went out - to find the right RPM. He surged past Russell before the first corner, despite Russell having dominantly secured his eighth pole position in qualifying.
Disaster for local hero Piastri
"It was a crazy battle," Russell said of the furious opening phase, as the two drivers traded the lead. "Anyone who said there wasn't enough of a show was proven wrong at the start," noted Mercedes boss Wolff. "It was great," Hamilton added. "It was a very fun race right from the start."
By then, Oscar Piastri had long since become a spectator. The 2025 championship runner-up hit the curb at Turn 4 on his way to the starting grid, lost control of his McLaren, and crashed into the barriers. It was a shock for the Melbourne-born Piastri, his family, and his fans. The wait for an Australian on the podium of their home Grand Prix continues.
50 percent combustion, 50 percent battery
It was an impressive opening. After all, Formula 1 has proclaimed the greatest regulatory revolution in its history with new engines and new cars. Since nearly 50 percent of the power comes from a battery, drivers are required to engage in constant energy management. They must find the right balance between charging and attacking, a move intended to make the races more unpredictable.
Russell and Antonelli used the first Virtual Safety Car phase for a pit stop. However, instead of also fitting hard tires, the Ferrari pit wall failed to act. "You should have brought at least one of us in," Hamilton reacted in disbelief.
At the front, Russell and Antonelli coolly completed their laps. Leclerc and Hamilton were unable to catch the leading duo. "Mercedes had a bit more speed than us," Leclerc admitted. This is likely to remain the case in Shanghai at the next race next Sunday./mom/DP/zb
