F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with penalties applied

George Russell, Australian GP, 2026, generic — Photo: © IMAGO

Australian Grand Prix

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2026 results: Final classification with penalties applied

The full results from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Sunday 8 March 2026 16:27 Updated: 19:01

The first race of the 2026 F1 season, complete with those controversial new regulations, is in the books and the final results for the Australian Grand Prix has been confirmed by the FIA.

After an early tussle between George Russell and Charles Leclerc, Mercedes pitted during a virtual safety car and the Brit cruised to a race victory on the hard tyres.

Russell was followed in second by team-mate Kimi Antonelli, with Leclerc representing Ferrari on the podium in third.

Article continues under video

Max Verstappen managed to convert a P20 start into a points finish, romping up to sixth by the time the chequered flag was waved, in a weekend of bitter disappointment at Red Bull.

New team-mate Isack Hadjar was forced to retire due to a technical failure, despite qualifying impressively in P3.

F1 RESULTS: Russell claims historic win after Piastri crash

F1 Results: Australian Grand Prix 2026

Here is the final classification from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix as confirmed by the FIA.

2026 Australian Grand Prix results - final classification
Position	Driver	Team	Time
1	George Russell	Mercedes	1:23:06.801
2	Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes	+2.974s
3	Charles Leclerc	Ferrari	+15.519s
4	Lewis Hamilton	Ferrari	+16.144s
5	Lando Norris	McLaren	+51.741s
6	Max Verstappen	Red Bull	+54.617s
7	Oliver Bearman	Haas	+1 lap
8	Arvid Lindblad	Racing Bulls	+1 lap
9	Gabriel Bortoleto	Audi	+1 lap
10	Pierre Gasly	Alpine	+1 lap
11	Esteban Ocon	Haas	+1 lap
12	Alex Albon	Williams	+1 lap
13	Liam Lawson	Racing Bulls	+1 lap
14	Franco Colapinto	Alpine	+2 laps
15	Carlos Sainz	Williams	+2 laps
16	Sergio Perez	Cadillac	+3 laps
17	Lance Stroll	Aston Martin	+15 laps
18	Fernando Alonso	Aston Martin	DNF
19	Valtteri Bottas	Cadillac	DNF
20	Isack Hadjar	Red Bull	DNF
21	Oscar Piastri	McLaren	DNS
22	Nico Hulkenberg	Audi	DNS

Fastest Lap: Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - 1:22.091 on lap 43

When is the next F1 race?

We have a very fast turnaround after the season opener in Melbourne, with the next race coming next Sunday (March 15) in Shanghai as the Chinese Grand Prix takes centre stage.

Mercedes George Russell Australian Grand Prix Melbourne Albert Park Circuit

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