A Mercedes one-two in the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. After a tight race, George Russell edged out teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli to claim victory. Charles Leclerc also reached the podium with Ferrari, while Lewis Hamilton finished just off the podium in fourth place. The race began with a good start from Leclerc, who took advantage of the two Mercedes' less-than-perfect starts to take the lead right away. The Monegasque challenged Russell in the early laps, but the first Virtual Safety Car, deployed following Isack Hadjar's retirement, proved to be the turning point. The Mercedes made an early pit stop and gained vital places. Ferrari instead chose to stop later, without differentiating the strategy between its two drivers. This move proved costly, particularly when a second Virtual Safety Car, triggered by Valtteri Bottas' stop, prevented the pit lane due to the presence of the Finn's Cadillac. Russell dominated the final, crossing the finish line around three seconds ahead of Antonelli. This was the British driver's sixth Formula One victory, and it also gave him his first championship lead. Behind the podium, Hamilton finished fourth, and world champion Lando Norris could only finish fifth in a McLaren that appeared less competitive than expected. Oscar Piastri, a local favorite, had a difficult day after colliding with the wall on his formation lap and being unable to start. Max Verstappen finished sixth, having started from the end of the grid. Oliver Bearman (Haas), rookie Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls), Gabriel Bortoleto, who collected the new Audi's first championship points, and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) rounded out the top 10.