Australian Grand Prix 2026
Melbourne Melbourne, Australia
Australian Grand Prix took place at Melbourne, Australia as round 1 of the 2026 Formula 1 season. George Russell won the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.
- Round
- 1
- Season
- 2026
- Circuit
- Melbourne
- Dates
- 6–8 Mar 2026
- Race winner
- George Russell
2026 Australian Grand Prix race summary
George Russell won the 2026 Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne, round 1 of the season. Russell crossed the line 2.974 seconds ahead of Kimi Antonelli, with Charles Leclerc third. The race ran to 58 laps.
George Russell took pole position with a 1:18.518. Russell converted P1 on the grid into the win. Max Verstappen gained the most places, going from P20 to P6.
Russell made one pit stop. Max Verstappen set the fastest lap, a 1:22.091 on lap 42.
The race had three virtual safety car periods. Three drivers retired: Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas and Isack Hadjar. Oscar Piastri and Nico Hulkenberg did not start. It stayed dry, with an air temperature around 24°C and the track around 36°C.
Key facts
- Winner
- George Russell from P1
- Winning margin
- 2.974s
- Pole
- George Russell 1:18.518
- Fastest lap
- Max Verstappen 1:22.091, lap 42
- Laps
- 58
- Safety cars
- None
- Virtual safety cars
- 3
- Retirements
- 3
- Weather
- Dry air 24°C, track 36°C
Weekend schedule
Race result
| Pos | Driver | Time / Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell RUS | Winner |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli ANT | +2.974s |
| 3 | Charles Leclerc LEC | +15.519s |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton HAM | +16.144s |
| 5 | Lando Norris NOR | +51.741s |
| 6 | Max Verstappen VER | +54.617s |
| 7 | Oliver Bearman BEA | +1.000s |
| 8 | Arvid Lindblad LIN | +1.000s |
| 9 | +1.000s | |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly GAS | +1.000s |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon OCO | +1.000s |
| 12 | Alexander Albon ALB | +1.000s |
| 13 | Liam Lawson LAW | +1.000s |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto COL | +2.000s |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz SAI | +2.000s |
| 16 | Sergio Perez PER | +3.000s |
| — | Lance Stroll STR | +15.000s |
| — | Fernando Alonso ALO | DNF |
| — | Valtteri Bottas BOT | DNF |
| — | Isack Hadjar HAD | DNF |
| — | Oscar Piastri PIA | DNS |
| — | Nico Hulkenberg HUL | DNS |
Gap to leader
Classified finishers P2–P10 at the chequered flag, seconds behind the race winner