Martin Brundle predicts Australian Grand Prix podium with Charles Leclerc winning

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Martin Brundle has predicted that Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will start the 2026 Formula 1 season with a win at the Australian Grand Prix.

Ferrari haven’t won a race since the autumn of 2024 but Brundle believes they can instantly improve upon last season. The Scuderia were impressive in winter testing, with Leclerc setting the fastest time by eight-tenths of a second.

The extent of that margin has led to scepticism as it seems Ferrari turned up their engine. But the SF-26 also performed well over long runs, suggesting that Fred Vasseur’s squad are genuine contenders heading to Melbourne.

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Martin Brundle snubs Lando Norris in Australian Grand Prix podium prediction

Asked for his prediction by Sky Sports, Brundle picked Leclerc to take his second win at Albert Park after a previous triumph in 2022. Ferrari have won the Australian Grand Prix 11 times and a victory this weekend would see them tie McLaren at the top.

Brundle has talked up George Russell’s title chances and he believes the Mercedes driver will finish second. He rounds off his prediction with Oscar Piastri, who is bidding to end Australia’s long wait for a home podium.

Do you expect the Australian Grand Prix winners’ curse to continue in 2026?

Lando Norris won in Melbourne in 2025, but where will he finish in 2026?

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In Brundle’s eyes, there is no place on the podium for Lando Norris, the reigning world champion and last year’s Melbourne winner. He also leaves out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

Indeed, it would be particularly painful for Hamilton’s podium drought to continue if his teammate were able to win in the sister car.

Karun Chandhok disagrees with Martin Brundle’s Charles Leclerc prediction

Turning to Brundle’s colleagues, Karun Chandhok left both Ferrari drivers off the podium entirely. He’s going for Russell to win ahead of the two McLarens, with Piastri second and Norris third.

Anthony Davidson agrees that Russell will start the season on top but expects Verstappen to be up there in P2. That would be a fine result on the debut of the Red Bull engine.

Davidson also picks Norris third, while David Croft went with the same order as Chandhok.

The variety in the predictions is exciting in and of itself, reflecting the uncertainty around the pecking order and the perceived closeness of the top four teams.

There was some hope before testing that a midfield team could shake up the pecking order, but if anything, the rule changes have cemented the advantage of the leading quartet.