George Russell tells the FIA to improve ‘sketchy’ aspect of new rules after Australian GP victory

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Mercedes driver George Russell started the new era of Formula 1 in the perfect way, winning the Australian Grand Prix from pole position.

George Russell led his Mercedes teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli across the line, although the race was far less straightforward than he would have liked.

The British driver was beaten off the line by the fast-starting Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who completed the podium, and the pair traded positions throughout the early stages of the race.

Victory for Russell in Australia! Is it the first of many for Mercedes in 2026?

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McLaren driver Oscar Piastri failed to start the race after a crash on his way to the grid, and Isack Hadjar’s debut ended in disappointment after a technical failure.

Russell was delighted to secure his first win of the season, but admitted that the FIA might have to already look at the new regulations based on his experience at the Albert Park circuit.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver George Russell’s life outside F1 from net worth to height

George Russell calls new straight mode ‘sketchy’ after Australian Grand Prix win

Russell was interviewed immediately after the race by Jenson Button, and asked about the race, he said: “I’m feeling incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning!

“We knew it was going to be challenging. I got on the grid. I saw my battery level, I had nothing in the tank, made a bad start, and then, obviously, some really tight battles with Charles, so I was really glad to cross the finish line.

“But, honestly, thank you so much to the whole team, because it’s been a long time coming to have this car beneath us, and couldn’t start off in a better way.

Mercedes claim a one-two finish to start F1’s new era! Which driver stands out from the top 10 of the Australian Grand Prix?

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“I’m glad you guys enjoyed it. We had this suspicion that it was gonna be a bit of a yo-yo effect, and as soon as one of us got in front, it just felt impossible to hold it, and, obviously, with this straight mode, we lose a lot of the front end on the car, so we’re sort of just understeering a lot around these corners.

“I’m sure, the FIA are going to have to improve that a little bit, because it was a bit sketchy, but yeah, made it in one piece, and just, yeah, glad to have won too.”

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Mercedes secure first one-two Formula 1 finish without Lewis Hamilton since 1955

Russell’s old teammate Lewis Hamilton once again missed out on a first podium finish with Ferrari after finishing less than a second behind Leclerc.

The seven-time world champion was critical of Ferrari’s decision not to pit under either of the first two virtual safety cars.

It means that Mercedes can celebrate their first one-two finish in Formula 1 without Hamilton since 1955.

Russell’s win in Australia means he leads the drivers’ championship for the first time since he won the Formula 2 championship before his F1 debut with Williams.

There were five British drivers in the points in Melbourne, with world champion Lando Norris finishing fifth, Haas driver Oliver Bearman in seventh, and the only rookie on the grid, Arvid Lindblad, picking up four points for Racing Bulls.