RACE START: Leclerc seizes lead from Russell in exhilarating opening lap in Australia

As the lights went out for the first time in 2026, polesitter George Russell lost out to the flying Ferrari of Charles Leclerc to kick off a thrilling opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix.

With a new race start procedure in place, the lead Mercedes was slow to get off the line, allowing Leclerc to charge past at Turn 1 while Kimi Antonelli tumbled down the order.

Lewis Hamilton and rookie Arvid Lindblad experienced similarly strong starts, the Ferrari driver progressing from P7 to P3 after passing the Red Bull of Isack Hadjar, while Lindblad improved to fourth place.

Elsewhere, there was heartbreak for McLaren driver Oscar Piastri, who crashed out of his home event on the way to the grid after qualifying in fifth place. Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg was the next to suffer an early retirement as he returned to the garage with a technical issue shortly before the start.

To watch the action from the opening lap in Australia, click go on the video player above.