Formula 1

Chris Medland picks out five key things to keep an eye on when the lights go out for the season opener at Albert Park in Melbourne.

The drivers and teams report back on all the action from final Practice and Qualifying in Melbourne for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix.

Lando Norris went into 2026 as the reigning World Champion, but his early expectations for the season were lowered as he qualified on the third row for the Australian Grand Prix, leading him to blame a substantial list of issues he encountered.

Charles Leclerc has admitted that Ferrari are “nowhere near Mercedes” after finishing some eight-tenths behind the pole-sitting Silver Arrow of George Russell during Australian Grand Prix Qualifying.

Go onboard with Mercedes' George Russell for his impressive pole lap at the Australian Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli feels that “the mechanics were the heroes” in his journey to claim P2 in Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix, as the Mercedes youngster bounced back from a massive crash in FP3.

Isack Hadjar felt that his P3 result in Qualifying for the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix was the “perfect start” to his Red Bull career, despite admitting that he also saw the day as “damage limitation”.

Catch up on the action from the first Qualifying of 2026 at the Australian Grand Prix.

George Russell was left to celebrate a “great day” for Mercedes after claiming pole position for the 2026 season-opening Australian Grand Prix, with the Briton admitting that the car “came alive” in Qualifying as he led a 1-2 for the team ahead of Kimi Antonelli.

Max Verstappen has admitted that he has “never experienced something like that before” after a bizarre issue saw him end up in the barriers during Q1 for the Australian Grand Prix.

Joshua Duerksen claimed his second Melbourne Sprint Race victory, going back-to-back around Albert Park after an impressive display from second on the grid.

George Russell has sealed pole position for the first race of the season in Australia, beating Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar’s efforts while Max Verstappen suffered an unexpected early exit.

There was early drama in Qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix when Max Verstappen spun off into the barriers.