Return of 'It's Lights Out and Away We Go"

Australian Grand Prix 2026

“It's lights out and away we go!” Are the words Formula One fans around the world have been eagerly waiting to hear. Well the wait is over! This weekend 22 cars took to the Australian track for the opening round of the 2026 season.

Let me be the first to say welcome team Cadillac, and welcome back Sergio Perez and Valtari Bottas!

The weekend started as all race weekends do, with free practice on Friday. Number 63, George Russell came out of practice on top with the fastest lap. This year's Bookies favorite was a huge six tenths ahead of his nearest competitor as Mercedes flexed their muscles. 

The session saw red as two red flags were waved - for Carlos Sainz who stopped at the entry to the pit lane. And the other for Kimi Antonelli. 

Saturday held the first qualifying of the season with Russell keeping his lead and claiming pole position over his Mercedes teammate and Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar. A tough qualifying for world champion Lando Norris - only qualifying 6th - while McLaren teammate, Oscar Piastri, qualified 4th.

Sunday brought the much anticipated race day! Russell claimed first place, making him the fastest all weekend. He claimed top step on the podium making it a Mercedes 1 and 2 followed by Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, taking the final step. Both Leclerc and Russell took turns leading the race on the first few laps until a virtual safety car was deployed - both Mercedes came in and pitted, opting for a 2 stop strategy - but the two ferraris stayed out opting for a 1 stop (despite voicing their concerns about the strategy and wanting to pit).

Later in the race another VSC was deployed due to the retirement of Cadillac’s Vallteri Bottas, during which Leclerc and Hamilton again remained out on track. When the Scuderia’s drivers later made their pitstops, Russell and Antonelli returned to the front. 

World champion, Lando Norris finished 5th behind the 7-time world champion - the number one being the only mclaren running this race due to local favorite Oscar Piastri spinning out and colliding with the barrier (which he returned to to carve ‘Oscar Piastri was here’) meaning he couldn't take part in the race. 

Rookie, Arvid Lindblad, secured points on his debut, the racing bulls driver claiming eighth place. 

Sadly, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso both retired before rejoining the race at different stages. 

Can Aston Martin fix their cars? Can Lando hold onto his crown? Or is 2026 a Mercades year?

With all the new cars, rules and regulations it could be anyones year. 

Tune in next weekend for round 2 at the Shanghai International circuit in China.

See you there!

Written by Lauren Moore