F1's new rules create 'Mario Kart' racing in Australia season opener

"Drivers had eviscerated the new formula after stepping out of their cars following qualifying on Saturday; three world champions in Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris all spoke out about the cars in various ways. Norris had said F1 had traded the best and most enjoyable cars to drive for the worst, and certainly there was a remarkably negative mood over the paddock after qualifying."

"For 12 glorious laps, as George Russell and Charles Leclerc traded the lead of the Australian Grand Prix back and forth, you could have easily forgotten the furore around Formula 1's cars that dominated the opening weekend of the 2026 season. The two drivers, both hoping this season is the year they win a first drivers' championship, thrilled the Albert Park crowd with a set of superb overtakes."

"F1 was quick to circulate a statistic: last year's opener featured 45 overtakes, Sunday's boasted 120. Leclerc and Russell contributed seven of those in the opening stint. It felt like a Jekyll-and-Hyde kind of opening weekend. The good had been great, the bad had been very bad."

Formula 1's 2026 season began with significant controversy surrounding redesigned cars featuring a 50-50 split between combustion and electrical power. Despite widespread driver criticism from champions like Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, and Lando Norris about the new cars' drivability, the Australian Grand Prix delivered compelling racing. George Russell and Charles Leclerc engaged in a thrilling 12-lap battle for the lead, trading positions multiple times and executing seven overtakes in the opening stint alone. The race recorded 120 total overtakes compared to 45 in the previous year's opener, providing F1 with positive momentum. Russell ultimately secured victory with Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli finishing second, offering the sport a bright spot amid an otherwise turbulent season launch.

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