The young Italian star equalled his best ever Sunday points haul, matching his best-ever career result.

World champion Lando Norris echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, describing the racing – which now mandates drivers manage battery power and utilise a boost button for overtakes – as "very artificial". Norris also voiced fears of a "big accident" due to the significant differences in closing speeds between cars.

Do the new Formula 1 rules create “incredible” racing or “probably the worst” cars in F1 history? Drivers are split. The opening race in Australia which mixed a dramatic battle for the lead with some complex strategy,

Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey was spotted by PlanetF1.com examining Nico Hulkenberg’s Audi ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. Aston Martin endured a difficult start to the F1 2026 season in Melbourne, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll both failing to make the chequered flag.

Eyewitnesses confirmed to Daily Mail that many influencers were taking advantage of VIP areas to take videos of their outfits

While no points were picked up by the young Argentine, he captured all Formula One fans' attention immediately after the race start.

Formula 1 drivers had mixed views on the 2026 regulations in the wake of the season opener in Australia, which saw a one-two finish for Mercedes. While that was the expected result after qualifying, the start was enlivened by both Mercedes drivers getting away badly from the grid.