George Russell and Charles Leclerc were involved in an awkward exchange following the Australian GP that saw Mercedes finish first and second.

George Russell expects Lewis Hamilton to bring up Mercedes’ “illegal engine” chatter on their Shanghai flight.

Formula 1's first race winner of 2026 may have displayed blistering pace in his victory at Albert Park, but not without challenges with the car and his Ferrari counterpart in the opening laps of the race.

Leclerc and Russell traded the lead throughout the opening laps, but it was Russell who drove on to victory, ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, after Ferrari’s decision not to pit Leclerc or Hamilton under the Virtual Safety Car periods generated debate.

Lewis Hamilton left furious at Ferrari as George Russell capitalises for thrilling Australian GP victory - Russell lost his lead at the start to Charles Leclerc but when Ferrari opted not to pit either driver,

Ferrari was close to a second off the pace in qualifying for the F1 2026 opener, but it improved significantly in the race - even challenging for the win at one stage