Russell and Mercedes Take the Awards at the First Formula 1 Grand Prix and Conclusions From Australia

The Mercedes drivers managed to secure the top spots in both qualifying and the race; the consequences of the new regulations are already visible

Rusell and Mercedes victory

The British driver George Russell (Mercedes) lived up to expectations and won the first Grand Prix of the Formula 1 season in Australia, deflating the surprise factor of the Ferraris, who managed to take the lead in the first segment of the Albert Park circuit, with the Italian Kimi Antonelli finishing second and the Monegasque Charles Leclerc completing the podium.

Unexpected surprises

The day's unpleasant surprise was exemplified by both McLarens, with Oscar Piastri retiring even before the start and Lando Norris struggling in fifth place under constant pressure from Max Verstappen, another victim in Australia who at least managed to salvage some pride, as his teammate, the Frenchman Isack Hadjar, was another driver who had to retire on the oceanic surface.

New conclusions from this cycle of regulations

The outlook of the new Formula 1 season that has just started leaves the first and interesting conclusions: overtakes are multiplying, especially in the first part of the race; the scenario drawn by the batteries and energy savings represents a real lottery in individual duels, and survival mode is once again taking center stage in the great four-wheeled circus.

And at the start, with all the changes stipulated for the current season, the questions arose. The first was cleared by Charles Leclerc, who, starting from fourth place, demonstrated that Ferraris are fast off the line, taking the lead from the first lap while Hamilton settled into third place.

The dizzying intensity of the early laps of the race deflated in the final laps like a soufflé, leaving the outcome somewhat anticlimactic. Verstappen lacked the final breath to overtake Norris, the only incentive left in the race, while Russell euphorically headed for the finish line with the victory and Mercedes' double in his pocket.