Probably the most debated change in technical and sporting regulations in the history of Formula One finally was born into reality in Melbourne on Sunday 8th March. On the way to the grid, local hero Oscar Piastri slammed his McLaren car into the wall as an apparent torque spike took control of the MCL40.
The Australian was to take no further part in the days action. Previously in qualifying on his first flying lap, the driver considered a generational talent and maestro of car control, Max Verstappen suffered a similar fate sending his RB22 skipping across the gravel trap at turn one and into the barrier.
Max would start the Grand Prix down in in 20th place. The all new 2026 F1 cars have enormous amounts of torque available at the push of a button to the drivers, delivered from the hybrid powertrains which now sport 50% electrical power output alongside the internal combustion engines (ICE).
New cars, new rules, new kind of F1 racing
Torque from the electric motors unlike from the ICE is instant and uncontrolled will spin up the wheels at the rear of the car, leaving the driver helpless to control what follows. Add into the mix that the 2026 cars have lost a huge amount of downforce and ride on tyres which have a smaller contact patch meaning less grip.
Throughout the weekend, F1 analysts and broadcasters were marvelling at the fact the F1 cars were no longer on rails and that the drivers were being forced to wrestle control of their machines. Another improvement to the spectacle was the fact that the new aerodynamics and powertrains were allowing the cars to follow more closely without the driver behind destroying his tyres.
At the start of the race, George Russell on pole position reported his battery pack appeared empty and with the lights going out almost instantaneously he and a number of drivers were caught by surprise. Charle Leclerc in his fast starting Ferrari weaved between Hadjar ahead and then Russell to take the lead into turn one.
The 2026 Ferrari features a small fan on the turbo, which spoils up far more quickly than those with larger designs. This provides an incremental acceleration force when the ICE is at low revs, and with the electrical boost for the new powertrains only kicking in at 50mph, the SF-26 looks lightning from a standing start.
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Overtake fest for the lead of the Grand Prix
Russell recovered to hold second place, although he was challenged by both Hamilton and Isack Hadjar. Over the first eight laps, the racing between Russell and Leclerc was frenetic, with 6 changes of the lead as each driver found new ways to use their electrical power as an advantage.
On lap nine the lead changed hands twice, with Leclerc taking advantage of Russell’s depleted battery to retake the lead. Coming into turn 11, the Ferrari then ran out of charge as Leclerc moved to the right to defend his position. Meanwhile George Russell was on the push to pass button meaning the closing speeds between the cars was dramatic.
Leclerc prevailed in his defence, but Russell who has become known in the paddock as a driver who attempts to get his rivals into trouble with race control, bemoaned the move over team radio as risky and perilous.
“That was very dangerous by Leclerc. Especially what we spoke about in the briefing,” reported Russell although the defensive move appeared to be sanctioned by Sky F1’s expert driver commentator Martin Brundle who described it as being “on the limit.”
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Russell mistake not proven costly
On the subsequent lap Russell again attempted a risky move into turn one, using his extra electrical power to pull alongside the Ferrari ahead. He misjudged his speed and was forced to brake heavily, causing his front left tyre to lock up in a cloud of smoke from the burning rubber.
This flat spotted the Mercedes tyre, creating vibrations for Russell to deal with. His tyre no longer perfectly round was causing the Mercedes driver some difficulties and for Leclerc his defence of the lead became far more comfortable.
The the F1 gods intervened on lap 11, as a despondent Isack Hadjar running fourth pulled his car the side of the circuit to a stop. The sound from the subsequent replays revealed the Red Bull had eaten its gearbox which sounded like a large bag of spanners being rattled.
A virtual safety car was deployed by race control, an absolute gift for Mercedes who were able to pit Russell for fresh tyres. This meant the British driver would now switch to a two stop strategy, given his second set of tyres were unlikely to survive to the chequered flag.
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Ferrari strategic blunder again
To everyone’s surprise Ferrari did not pit either other drivers and subsequent pit radio informed Lewis Hamilton they were sticking to their one stop race plan and staying out. The seven times champion was incensed by the decision, insisting over team radio, “So at least one of us should have come in.”
Hamilton was indeed on the money given the two on one situation Ferrari found themselves in with the lone Mercedes. With tyre degradation unknown covering off the Mercedes decision to stop early with one Ferrari switching to a two stop was the obvious call. Yet once again, the Scuderia race strategy team famed for its blunders over the decades, failed to grasp the situation and the moment was gone.
Ferrari in effect handed George Russell 10 seconds of free race time given his pit stop time was much reduced to the fact the rest of the field were trundling around at virtual safety car speed. With his new rubber, George Russell was back on the pace and the course of the Grand Prix was set with him ultimately claiming the chequered flag.
There was a mixed response from the drivers following the Grand Prix, with some commenting that at times the various overspeed of cars racing each other felt dangerous. A car deploying the huge torque boost compared to a close rival with a depleted batter, appears to be a situation merely waiting for a massive collision.
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Whacky Mario Kart Racing or pure excitement?
F1 purists will describe the opening laps and plentiful changes of the lead as Whacky Mario Kart racing, where the cartoon characters pick up magical boost powers and launch ahead of their rivals. Expert commentator Martin Brundle conceded at times the racing appeared perilous due to the highly different closing speeds and that the “regulations should be a work in progress.”
On his way to the grid, the returning Sergio Perez was asked how he thought the racing would go, he curtly replied “I hope the fans enjoy the video game.” His former team mate Max Verstappen who was driver of the day with his P20-P6 drive revealed, “In the midfield there were definitely Mario Kart-like things happening.”
Charles Leclerc, who claimed the final place on the podium as Kimi Antonelli also benefited from Ferrari’s strategic blunder agreed. Having completed his fourth pass on Russell in four laps he said over team radio: “This is like a mushroom in Mario Kart.”
That said, the initial phase of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix will have captivated the attention of even the most avid of the Tik Tok generation. The FIA is unlikely to respond with undue haste, given Albert park in Melbourne is regarded as somewhat of an outlier of a circuit.
Next week in China the teams will face a Sprint race weekend where they have just one session to set up their cars before the competitive action begins. All new F1 is most definitely different from anything we’ve ever seen, whether the electrical power will be tempered or not we will see in due course.
NEXT ARTICLE: F1 Results Today: Russell Wins as Piastri’s Home Race Ends in Pre-Start Disaster
Formula 1 Results Today: Madness before the lights go out with Piastri’s Melbourne Meltdown, Audi’s Embarrassing Grid Drama and Drivers Already Fed Up with F1’s New Cars – F1 barely had time to get started in Melbourne before chaos erupted. The 2026 season opener at Albert Park was full of drama even before the race began, with a crash involving a local hero, a factory team was left stranded, and there was a growing rebellion against the sport’s brand-new technical regulations.
Australian fans had arrived hoping to celebrate a national hero. Instead, they witnessed the kind of motorsport tragedy usually reserved for slow-motion replays and sympathetic commentary. Oscar Piastri didn’t even make it to the starting grid…. continue reading
A.J. Hunt is Senior Editor at TJ13, where Andrew oversees editorial standards and contributes to the site’s Formula 1 coverage. A career journalist with experience in both print and digital sports media, Andrew trained in investigative journalism and has written for a range of European sports outlets.
At TJ13, Andrew plays a central role in shaping the site’s output, working across breaking news, analysis, and long-form features. Andrew’s responsibilities include fact-checking, refining editorial structure, and ensuring consistency in reporting across a fast-moving news cycle.
Andrew’s work focuses particularly on the intersection of Formula 1 politics, regulation, and team strategy. Andrew closely follows developments involving the FIA, team leadership, and driver market dynamics, helping to provide context behind the sport’s biggest stories.
With experience covering multiple seasons of Formula 1’s modern hybrid era, Andrew has developed a detailed understanding of how regulatory changes and competitive shifts influence the grid. Andrew’s editorial approach prioritises clarity and context, aiming to help readers navigate complex developments within the sport.
In addition to editorial duties, Andrew is particularly interested in how media narratives shape fan perception of Formula 1, and how reporting can balance speed with accuracy in an increasingly digital news environment.
