Mercedes driver George Russell has urged the FIA to rethink new regulations following his victory at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
The 28-year-old overcame a difficult start to finish ahead of Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc and team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Despite claiming the 25th podium and sixth win of his career, the championship favourite expressed serious concerns regarding handling issues.
‘Straight mode’ raises safety fears
At the heart of the debate is a newly introduced ‘straight mode’ engineered into the cars for the current campaign.
This setting allows for significantly increased speeds on straights but drastically reduces front-end downforce and steering control.
Heavy battery consumption is also a major concern for teams managing the revised power units.
Several competitors experienced dramatic incidents during a chaotic race weekend down under.
Chaos and early retirements
Safety marshals were forced to intervene on track when debris detached from Sergio Perez’s wing.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri suffered an early retirement after a power surge and cold tyres sent him crashing into the wall on the formation lap.
Veteran Spaniard Fernando Alonso also withdrew, citing extreme car vibrations that threatened permanent nerve damage.
Russell warns of yo-yo effect
Speaking to the media after his triumph, the British driver acknowledged the thrilling nature of the race but highlighted severe technical deficits.
“I’m feeling incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning!”
“We had this suspicion that it was gonna be a bit of a yo-yo effect, and as soon as one of us got in front, it just felt impossible to hold it.”
“With this straight mode, we lose a lot of the front end on the car, so we’re sort of just understeering a lot around these corners.”
The race winner hopes the governing body will address these understeering issues before the paddock moves to Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix next weekend.
Formula 1 returns to Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season, with George Russell and Mercedes looking to extend their early championship lead following a dominant display in Australia.
The Shanghai International Circuit hosts the second round of the new regulatory era, introducing the alternative weekend format to the dramatically redesigned cars.
Just a single practice session will be available before competitive action begins with Friday’s Sprint Qualifying.
New regulations face severe aerodynamic test
While the season-opening race in Melbourne heavily rewarded teams who mastered the new power units, the Chinese track presents an entirely different technical challenge.
Sweeping turns and a grueling 3.387-mile layout demand exceptional aerodynamic balance from the entire grid.
High tyre degradation is historically a major factor at this venue, largely driven by the long, high-speed corners that lead onto the expansive back straight.
Chasing pack aims to close the gap
Ferrari arrive in Asia carrying significant momentum after an impressive opening weekend.
The Scuderia will also be buoyed by a return to the scene of Lewis Hamilton’s most successful outing for the Italian marque during the previous campaign.
The seven-time world champion secured a memorable Sprint victory at this very circuit last year.
Meanwhile, both McLaren and Red Bull are desperately seeking stronger performances to prevent the Brackley-based squad from establishing an early advantage.
Cool conditions and F1 Academy action
Track temperatures will remain unusually low throughout the three days of running, with ambient readings hovering around a cool 18C.
Crucially for the teams attempting to understand their new machinery, current forecasts predict a completely dry weekend with no rain expected to disrupt the tightly packed schedule.
Fans will also see the return of the all-female F1 Academy series, which commences its fourth season with two support races across the weekend.
The crucial 19-lap Sprint itself gets underway in the early hours of Saturday morning for UK audiences, offering the first bonus points of the new campaign.
McLaren team principal Andrea Stella has expressed frustration over a lack of crucial engine data from supplier Mercedes following a massive performance gap at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The reigning constructors’ champions found themselves significantly off the pace as the factory Mercedes team secured a dominant one-two finish in Melbourne.
George Russell led highly-rated rookie Kimi Antonelli across the line to give the Silver Arrows an early championship advantage.
Defending drivers’ champion Lando Norris could only manage fifth place, crossing the line a staggering 51 seconds behind the race winner.
His stablemate Oscar Piastri suffered a disastrous home race, failing to start after a bizarre incident on his way to the grid.
New regulations expose customer deficit
Formula 1 introduced sweeping changes to power unit regulations for the 2026 season, placing a heavier emphasis on electrical energy deployment.
While works teams manufacturing their own powertrains were expected to hold an initial edge, the Woking-based outfit were caught entirely off guard by the sheer scale of their deficit.
The Italian team boss revealed that discussions regarding data transparency with Mercedes High Performance Powertrains have been ongoing for several weeks.
“The discussion with HPP about having more information has been going on for weeks because, even in testing, we were pretty much going on track, run the car, look at the data, ‘oh, that’s what we have. Good, now we react to what we have’,” Stella said.
Simulations compromised by data blackout
Modern grand prix racing relies heavily on precise computer models, making unpredictable energy deployment a major competitive disadvantage.
“That’s not how you work in Formula 1. In Formula 1, what happens on track, you simulate,” he explained.
The former Ferrari engineer noted that a lack of prior knowledge restricts his engineering department’s ability to programme their new challenger effectively.
“This is the first time that we feel we are on the back foot even when it comes to the ability to predict how the car will behave and the ability to anticipate how we can improve the car,” added the McLaren chief.
Searching for a solution
Rival customer outfit Williams reportedly experienced similar difficulties with their powertrains, leaving them equally unprepared for the deployment characteristics in Australia.
Despite the early setback for the team that comfortably claimed the constructors’ crown just months prior, optimism remains that rapid gains can be found.
The 53-year-old believes there is immediate low-hanging fruit to unlock further pace from their current aerodynamic package.
However, he conceded uncertainty over whether these initial optimisations will be sufficient to completely bridge the yawning gap to the factory squad.
Home favourite Oscar Piastri has suffered a disastrous start to the Australian Grand Prix after crashing his McLaren while making his way to the starting grid.
The Melbourne-born driver lost control of his car during the reconnaissance laps shortly before the race was scheduled to begin.
It is a major blow for the 23-year-old, who had arrived at Albert Park hoping to secure a podium finish in front of a passionate home crowd.
Pre-race drama at Albert Park
The incident occurred on a damp track as drivers tested conditions before forming up on the grid.
Television footage showed the McLaren slid off the circuit and sustained damage to the front of the car.
Piastri was able to communicate with his team over the radio immediately following the impact.
Mechanics face race against time
The car has been returned to the garage where McLaren mechanics are frantically assessing the extent of the damage.
Under Formula 1 regulations, the team must repair the vehicle quickly if the Australian is to take any part in the grand prix.
If the car cannot be fixed in time for the formation lap, Piastri may be forced to start from the pit lane or withdraw completely.
Felipe Massa has been ordered to receive £250,000 in legal costs from the FIA, Bernie Ecclestone and Formula One Management as part of his ongoing court case regarding the 2008 world championship.
A High Court judge ruled that the defendants must pay the sum within 14 days following the latest round of applications in the dispute.
The 43-year-old launched a £64m claim last year related to the “Crashgate” scandal at the 2008 Singapore Grand Prix.
While the court previously ruled Massa could seek damages, it rejected his request for a declaration that he should have been crowned champion instead of Lewis Hamilton.
Supreme Court intervention
Despite the cost order in the Brazilian’s favour, the judge granted part of the defendants’ application regarding a specific legal point.
This issue has been certified to go directly to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
Proceedings are now stayed pending the outcome of that application, though parties must exchange amended pleadings.
The former Ferrari driver remains determined to expose what he believes was a cover-up by the sport’s hierarchy.
“I look forward to proving in court that they conspired to conceal the truth, and I will use all legal means to ensure that this injustice is corrected.”
“Formula One is the greatest sport in the world, but it is essential that it is also the fairest.”
The 2008 controversy
Massa’s legal action centres on events during the inaugural night race in Singapore nearly two decades ago.
Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr crashed deliberately to aid team-mate Fernando Alonso’s strategy, triggering a safety car that ruined Massa’s race.
The Brazilian finished 13th while Hamilton finished third, eventually securing the title by a single point at the season finale in Brazil.
Lawyers for Massa argue that Ecclestone, the former F1 supremo, knew the crash was deliberate at the time but failed to investigate.
Lando Norris and Max Verstappen have led the criticism of Formula 1’s new cars following a difficult debut qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix.
The sport’s new regulation era began in Melbourne but was immediately met with savage feedback regarding the drivability of the 2026 machinery.
Drivers expressed frustration after a qualifying hour that many felt failed to showcase the future of the sport.
Norris, the defending world champion, described the vehicles as the “worst” he has experienced during his time on the grid.
“We’ve come from the best cars ever made in Formula 1 and the nicest to drive to probably the worst,” said Norris.
“It sucks, but you have to live with it and just maximise what you get given. It’s certainly different. It’s certainly not like it was last year.”
Power unit problems
While the aerodynamic aesthetics of the new generation have been praised, the frustration stems from the overhauled power units.
New regulations demand a 50-50 split between internal combustion and electrical power, forcing drivers to manage battery levels extensively.
This focus on energy management often comes at the expense of cornering speed and overall rhythm.
Footage from Friday practice showed cars losing power at full throttle on straights as hybrid systems switched to energy recovery modes.
These increased electrical elements were pivotal in persuading Audi to enter the sport as a manufacturer but remain unpopular in the cockpit.
‘No emotion’ in driving
Verstappen was equally scathing about the experience, suggesting he felt “no emotion” inside the car throughout the weekend.
The four-time title holder has previously hinted he would walk away from Formula 1 if the enjoyment factor disappeared.
“I am not having fun at all driving them,” Verstappen said.
The Red Bull driver had previously compared the handling of the new machinery to the all-electric Formula E series “on steroids”.
Norris, who secured the final title of the previous ground-effect era in 2025, struggled to find any positives when questioned by the media.
When asked if there was any aspect of the new car he enjoyed, the Briton paused for several seconds before simply replying: “No, not really.”
Max Verstappen has revealed he told late Red Bull co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz of his intention to remain with the team “forever” shortly before the Austrian’s death.
The four-time world champion has opened up on his deep sense of loyalty to the Milton Keynes-based outfit.
Despite intense speculation linking him with a move to Mercedes, the Dutchman has reaffirmed his commitment to the team where he secured his title success.
His current contract runs until the end of the 2028 season, by which time he will have spent over a decade with the constructors.
A promise to Mateschitz
The 28-year-old disclosed a sentimental pact made with Mateschitz before the businessman passed away in 2022.
Verstappen told The Times: “It’s always been the intention. I remember when Dietrich was still alive… I told him my dream – and his dream – was that I would stay here forever, as long as my career lasts.”
The former Toro Rosso graduate admitted that fulfilling that shared vision remains a primary motivation in his career.
“I’m very happy that before he passed away, I said that my intention is still to fulfil that dream, and so far that is going quite well,” he added.
Loyalty over performance
While Red Bull have faced turbulence with key personnel departing, their lead driver insists stability is crucial to his mindset.
Verstappen emphasised that feeling comfortable in his environment often outweighs the pursuit of pure performance elsewhere.
“I stayed loyal to the team for a long time; they know that loyalty, for me, is a very big thing, and that’s not always a given in Formula 1,” he explained.
“You always try to build the strongest team around you, but when you have a lot of success, it’s normal that people get poached and people leave, that’s how sport works.”
Life after Formula 1
Despite his long-term commitment, the prolific race winner has also hinted that his time in the sport may not extend far beyond his current deal.
Speaking to the Up To Speed podcast, he expressed frustration with upcoming regulations and a desire to prioritise life outside the paddock.
“I definitely see myself nearing the end,” he admitted.
“I want to live my life; you only live once, and I don’t want to spend 25 years driving a car.”
Verstappen is set to enter his 13th season in F1 in 2026, continuing a significant era of dominance with the energy drink giant.
Ferrari hope to exploit Formula 1’s revised race start procedures to challenge a Mercedes front-row lockout as a new era begins at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 2026 season opener features completely overhauled chassis and aerodynamic regulations.
However, revised hybrid engines have created a new variable for the 58-lap contest in Melbourne.
New demands on drivers
Drivers must now rev their engines higher and for longer before the lights go out compared to previous seasons.
To accommodate this technical shift, the FIA has introduced a five-second ‘pre-start’ procedure following the formation lap.
Pre-season favourites Mercedes secured the front row in qualifying with George Russell and rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Yet Ferrari believe their specific engine architecture could offer a crucial getaway advantage off the line.
Leclerc eyes launch opportunity
Charles Leclerc starts fourth, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton lining up seventh.
The Scuderia’s power unit features a smaller turbo than their rivals, allowing it to spin up faster to the required level.
“It is kind of easy for us to reach that optimal window for the start,” Leclerc told Sky Sports F1.
“I believe it is harder for others to reach that optimum window, so it might be more tricky for them.”
The Monegasque driver dismissed suggestions of the chaotic scenes witnessed during testing in Bahrain.
However, he remains confident that finding the performance sweet spot will be simpler for the Italian team.
Button predicts turn one drama
Former world champion Jenson Button believes the run to the first corner could be decisive.
Button noted that the Maranello-based squad showed a distinct advantage off the line during winter testing.
“The start is going to be exciting,” said Button. “They could be five abreast into Turn One.”
Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar shares the second row with Leclerc, adding further intrigue to the sprint down to the first braking zone.
If rivals execute their procedures perfectly, Leclerc admits the performance gap will narrow significantly.