The 2026 Formula 1 season has finally kicked off!
It comes with a new set of rules, slightly smaller cars, power restrictions, a 50/50 power split between the combustion engine and the electric motor, no more DRS, but we do have aero and an overtake mode, plus much more.
After the testing period wrapped up, I’d been eagerly waiting to see the first qualifying session and then the race, because nobody really showed their true pace during testing.
Except for Aston Martin: they didn’t hide anything. They’re worse than we expected, and they’d probably love to go back to their testing-level performance.
Results
| # | Name | Team | Time | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 | George Russell (RUS) | Mercedes Formula 1 Team | 1:23:06.801 | 25 |
| 🥈 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ANT) | Mercedes Formula 1 Team | +2.974 | 18 |
| 🥉 | Charles Leclerc (LEC) | Scuderia Ferrari | +15.519 | 15 |
| 4 | Lewis Hamilton (HAM) | Scuderia Ferrari | +16.144 | 12 |
| 5 | Lando Norris (NOR) | McLaren Formula 1 Team | +51.741 | 10 |
| 6 | Max Verstappen (VER) | Red Bull Racing | +54.617 | 8 |
| 7 | Oliver Bearman (BEA) | Haas F1 Team | +1 lap | 6 |
| 8 | Arvid Lindblad (LIN) | RB F1 Team | +1 lap | 4 |
| 9 | Gabriel Bortoleto (BOR) | Audi Revolut F1 Team | +1 lap | 2 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly (GAS) | Alpine F1 Team | +1 lap | 1 |
| 11 | Esteban Ocon (OCO) | Haas F1 Team | +1 lap | 0 |
| 12 | Alex Albon (ALB) | Williams Racing | +1 lap | 0 |
| 13 | Liam Lawson (LAW) | RB F1 Team | +1 lap | 0 |
| 14 | Franco Colapinto (COL) | Alpine F1 Team | +2 laps | 0 |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz (SAI) | Williams Racing | +2 laps | 0 |
| 16 | Sergio Pérez (PER) | Cadillac Formula 1 Team | +3 laps | 0 |
| - | Lance Stroll (STR) | Aston Martin F1 Team | +15 laps | 0 |
| NC | Fernando Alonso (ALO) | Aston Martin F1 Team | DNF (21) | 0 |
| NC | Valtteri Bottas (BOT) | Cadillac Formula 1 Team | DNF (15) | 0 |
| NC | Isack Hadjar (HAD) | Red Bull Racing | DNF (10) | 0 |
| NC | Oscar Piastri (PIA) | McLaren Formula 1 Team | DNF (0) | 0 |
| NC | Nico Hulkenberg (HUL) | Audi Revolut F1 Team | DNF (0) | 0 |
Notes
- I might have to come to terms with the fact that Russell is going to win the championship. Mercedes has an incredible car right now. Let’s see how long it takes before the FIA declares the engine illegal.
- Ferrari started the season well. P3 and P4 are fine for the first race. Their in-race strategy decisions, however, remain a complete mystery as ever.
- I think we’re going to see more overtakes at the front, thanks to the new regulations. At least that’s how it looked after the first race. And I hope that as the season progresses, the gap between teams gets even smaller. For now, Mercedes and Ferrari look to have the best cars.
Summary
- Oscar Piastri into the wall on the formation lap
- Ferrari off to a flyer with both cars. Leclerc takes the lead at the first corner, jumping from P4 all the way to P1.
- The first 19 laps are very entertaining, with the lead changing hands multiple times between Leclerc and Russell.
- Hamilton also climbs to P3 and they were basically sandwiching Russell.
- Virtual Safety Car and Mercedes brings both cars in for a pit stop, Ferrari stays out hoping for a full Safety Car later.
- A second Virtual Safety Car comes out, but the pit lane is closed because Bottas had parked there. Ferrari drew the short straw in that situation — it wasn’t their fault.
- They pit a few laps later. Out on track, it’s Mercedes 1-2 with Russell and Antonelli, and that’s how the front of the order stays.
- DNF: Hulkenberg, Piastri (maybe next year he’ll finish the race from home), Hadjar (the engine said “Bye!”), Bottas, Alonso (after pitting, he rejoined but was lapped +10 times)
Memes
