Russell and Mercedes win F1’s Australian Grand Prix after Piastri crash
Al Jazeera
Mercedes finish one-two on the podium with Ferrari’s Leclerc third as Norris finishes fifth in Melbourne.
Mercedes driver George Russell has struck the first blow in the Formula One championship by claiming an emphatic victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, crushing an early challenge from Ferrari.
Having dominated qualifying, pole-sitter Russell’s first win at Albert Park on Sunday confirmed Mercedes’s preseason form while giving the team their first Melbourne victory since Valtteri Bottas in 2019.
“I like this car. I like this engine. Great job,” Russell said over the team radio after crossing the chequered flag.
“Great job, everybody. It’s been a long time. It’s been a long time coming to have this car beneath us.”
Profiting from an early change of tyres, the British driver finished nearly three seconds before Italian Antonelli with Ferrari’s third-placed Charles Leclerc more than 15 seconds adrift after his team’s tyre strategy failed.
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