The first F1 Grand Prix is in the books for the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season! The 2026 Australian GP got underway in Melbourne with excitement, drama, and plenty of growing pains to the new car builds (not to mention engines that might electrocute drivers!)
Here are all of the best moments from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, plus information about the next GP to mark on your calendar.
Who Were The Podium Winners of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix?
GettyMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 in the Pitlane during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
The three drivers who made it onto the first podium of the 2026 Formula 1 season were George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, and Charles Leclerc. It was a one-two finish for the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and a great outlook for their 2026 season. Taking third place across the finish line was Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who married his longtime girlfriend in Monaco just last weekend. Behind Leclerc was his Ferrari teammate, Lewis Hamilton, who finished in fourth.
Who Drove the Fastest Lap? Who was Driver of the Day?
GettyMELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia.
The fastest lap of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix was driven by Max Verstappen, who was also voted Driver of the Day for the race after he improved from P20 to finish P6 in a very Verstappen fashion. The fastest lap ever recorded at any Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix was 1:19:813 by Charles Leclerc, which was achieved in 2024
Five Drivers Didn’t Finish the Race, Including Australian Oscar Piastri
GettyRed Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen’s car is removed from the track after he crashed during the qualifying session of the Formula One Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne on March 7, 2026.
Only 17 drivers on the grid crossed the finish line as six of the drivers did not finish the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, including McLaren’s Oscar Piastri – the only Australian on the grid. The other drivers who failed to cross the finish line of the first GP of the 2026 Formula 1 season were Isack Hadjar, Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso, and Nico Hulkenberg. Lance Stroll only participated in a partial number of laps in the race, which may be attributed to the engine incompatibility issues Aston Martin has experienced recently.
When is the Next Grand Prix?
GettyLewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 leads Liam Lawson of New Zealand driving the (30) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 23, 2025 in Shanghai, China.
The second Grand Prix of the 2026 F1 season is the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, which is set for next weekend with both a sprint race and the full Grand Prix circuit race the following day. The full information for the Chinese GP and how to watch is available here.
Best of the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix: Podium Winners, Driver of the Day, Fastest Lap & More