Australian Grand Prix results: full race classification
The 2026 Formula 1 season opened with an intense and action-packed race in Melbourne, where Mercedes confirmed its impressive pace by securing a dominant one-two finish. George Russell crossed the line first after 58 laps, leading teammate Kimi Antonelli to give the Brackley-based team its first double victory of the year.
Ferrari followed closely behind as the second-strongest force on track, with Charles Leclerc finishing in third place and Lewis Hamilton just behind in fourth. Despite not matching Mercedes’ overall pace, the Scuderia secured valuable points and demonstrated solid race performance throughout the Grand Prix.
Australian Grand Prix 2026 – full race classification
| Position | Driver | Team | Laps | Gap/Retirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 58 | — |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 58 | +2.974 |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 58 | +15.519 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 58 | +16.144 |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 58 | +51.741 |
| 6 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | 58 | +54.617 |
| 7 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 57 | +1 lap |
| 8 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 57 | +1 lap |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | 57 | +1 lap |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 57 | +1 lap |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 57 | +1 lap |
| 12 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 57 | +1 lap |
| 13 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 57 | +1 lap |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 56 | +2 laps |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | 56 | +2 laps |
| 16 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | 55 | +3 laps |
| 17 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 43 | +15 laps |
| RET | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 24 | Technical problem |
| RET | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 19 | Technical problem |
| RET | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 12 | Engine failure |
| DNS | Nico Hülkenberg | Audi | 0 | Technical problem |
| DNS | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 0 | Crash on formation lap |
Race report
One message has become clear after the opening race of the season: Formula 1 currently revolves around Mercedes. After months of speculation, debate, and technical discussions in the paddock, the track itself delivered the definitive verdict in Melbourne.
The Brackley team confirmed the strong form already seen in qualifying by converting its front-row lockout into the first one-two finish of the 2026 season..
Russell’s victory immediately places him among the early favorites for the championship, while Antonelli’s second place underlines the strength of Mercedes’ package at the start of the new campaign.
Behind them, Ferrari emerged as the second-best team on the grid for now. Charles Leclerc secured third place, while Lewis Hamilton finished just behind his teammate in fourth. Although the Scuderia could not challenge Mercedes directly for the win, both drivers delivered a solid performance and collected important points for the constructors’ standings.
The rest of the field finished at a considerable distance from the leading four, highlighting the current gap between the top teams and the midfield. McLaren’s Lando Norris completed the top five, followed by Max Verstappen in sixth place for Red Bull.
Further down the order, Haas celebrated a strong result with Oliver Bearman finishing seventh, while Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto completed the top nine. Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten for Alpine.
The race also featured several retirements and technical problems, including issues for Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas, while Isack Hadjar was forced to retire early due to an engine failure. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri’s race ended before it even started after a crash during the formation lap.
Overall, the Australian Grand Prix offered the first clear picture of the competitive hierarchy in the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Mercedes firmly at the top and Ferrari positioned as the most immediate challenger.
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