Mercedes seizes early 2026 F1 advantage as Russell and Antonelli dominate opening two races

China March 13–15

Like Round 1, the season’s second race was another Mercedes lockout, but the outcome at Shanghai differed from Albert Park: a 2-1 rather than a 1-2.

Make no mistake: Kimi Antonelli deserved his maiden victory at the age of 19 – the second-youngest grand prix winner (behind Max Verstappen, 18 when he won in Spain in 2016). The Italian edged out team-mate George Russell for pole. Then he drove past the habitually fast-starting Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton on lap two to take the lead, before Russell picked off the red cars of Charles Leclerc and Hamilton to cruise up to second.

When Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped in the Turn 2 run-off on lap 10 with battery problems, the leading players all pitted under the safety car. But Russell got snookered at the restart behind the non-stopping Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon, and appeared to be struggling to switch on his new tyres. The Ferraris got through, and Russell spent many a lap watching them pass and re-pass before the Mercedes pilot re-established himself in second place at half-distance.

Mark Hughes’ Driver of the day

Oliver Bearman

The young Haas driver in his second full season has been performing to a consistently super-high level since the tail end of ’25 and, following up on his great drive in Melbourne, he was in terrific form in China. After vaulting from 10th to sixth on the opening lap he had to take evasive action as Isack Hadjar spun in front of him, losing him many places. From there, he got his head down and his mix of pace and beautifully judged passing moves took him to fifth, best of the rest after Mercedes and Ferrari.

By now Antonelli was long gone, but Russell’s second place, following his victory in the sprint race over Leclerc and Hamilton on Saturday, kept him ahead in the points. Hamilton this time beat Leclerc to third.

There was disaster for McLaren. Lando Norris never made it to the grid, from which Oscar Piastri was wheeled off – both of them had electrical problems, although not of the same nature. Also failing to start were Alex Albon (Williams) and Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi).

There was better news for Ollie Bearman, who took fifth for Haas. The retirement of Max Verstappen’s Red Bull with overheating 11 laps from home elevated the Alpine of Pierre Gasly to sixth. The final cars on the lead lap at the chequered flag were the Racing Bulls of Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull.

1st Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:33:15.607
2nd George Russell Mercedes +5.515sec
3rd Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +25.267sec

Month in numbers

3.422
Seconds deficit from Russell’s 2026 Australia pole time to Norris’s ’25 effort

2.17sec
Fastest pit stop of the month by Mercedes – George Russell in the Australian GP

0
Number of grand prix starts made by Oscar Piastri at the first two events of 2026

219.9
Fastest speed trap figure in mph: recorded by Pierre Gasly’s Alpine in the Chinese GP

13th
Best result from first two races for F1’s newest team, Cadillac – Bottas in China

Australia March 6–8

The pre-season predictions were proven correct. Mercedes has indeed started the Formula 1 season on top, and George Russell headed home Kimi Antonelli in a 1-2 for the team in the season-starter.