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George Russell has kicked off Formula 1’s new era of regulations with a convincing victory at the Australian Grand Prix, which proved to be a success despite questions about the sport’s trajectory in pre-season.
The new F1 regulations have completely divided the paddock. On one side, several drivers have voiced their frustrations with the new engine formula, with Max Verstappen dismissing them as overcomplicated and ‘anti-racing’.
On the other side, you have those who have leapt to the defence of F1’s new rulebook. Valtteri Bottas is adamant that they are ‘much better’ than what has been disclosed so far, and the Finn’s words were proved right after the five lights dropped in Melbourne this afternoon.
Bottas was unfortunate to have lasted just 15 laps on his return to the pinnacle of single-seater motorsport, with a fuel system issue deemed to be at fault for his early retirement.
That being said, he was one of just four drivers who were forced to retire from the race through no fault of their own, not including Nico Hulkenberg, who was unable to take part in the race due to a problem with his Audi’s electrical systems.
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What would you rate the Australian Grand Prix out of 10?
The 2026 Australian Grand Prix featured more overtakes than the last three combined
16 drivers ended up seeing the chequered flag at the Albert Park Circuit on Sunday. While not perfect, it’s certainly an improvement on the 13 finishers from the first race of the last new engine formula at the 2014 Australian Grand Prix.
What’s more is the fact that there was a considerably larger number of overtakes this year compared to previous editions of the Grand Prix down under.
F1 fans were treated to 120 overtakes today, nearly surpassing the combined total of the last four Australian Grands Prix.
During pre-season testing, Esteban Ocon predicted that the new regulations would be deemed ‘fantastic’ if there happened to be three overtakes per lap, and he wasn’t far off at all.
After Verstappen’s initial criticism of the ruleset, GPDA director Carlos Sainz outlined that they simply need time to explore the new F1 cars, and if they don’t prove to be a success after the opening run of race weekends, he will accompany the Dutchman in a meeting with the FIA.
Despite the Spaniard finishing in a lowly P15 in Melbourne, he can’t argue that they haven’t been much of a success already.
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Some standout performers in Melbourne 👀 Who was you Driver of the Day at the Australian GP?
Max Verstappen continues to slam the new F1 regulations
Verstappen was actually the provider of a big chunk of the 120 overtakes that took place during the Australian Grand Prix.
Starting from P20, following the Red Bull star’s hefty crash in qualifying on the day prior, he made his way up to P6 at the chequered flag, and pressured Lando Norris for P5 in the closing stages of the race.
However, Verstappen continued to bash the new F1 cars, telling journalists via Autosport, “I love racing, but you can only take so much.
“I think they’re willing to listen, the FIA and F1, but I just hope that there is some action because it’s not that I’m the only one saying it; a lot of people are speaking the same.
“If it’s drivers, fans, we just want the best for the sport. It’s not that we are critical just to be critical.
“We are critical for a reason, we want it to be Formula 1, you know, proper Formula 1 on steroids. Today, of course, again, that was not the case.”
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