Formula 1 is the highest level of open-wheel, formula auto-racing. A season consists of 24 races. These races are known as a “Grand Prix”. This year’s first race was in Melbourne, Australia during March 6th-8th, 2026. George Russell from Mercedes came in first, then his teammate Kimi Antonelli, then Charles Leclerc from Red Bull.
Race weekends – different from Sprint weekends – are organized into three practice sessions, three qualifying rounds, then the Grand Prix itself. Each practice session lasts an hour. The drivers can get a feel for the circuit and their cars. There are two practice sessions on the Friday before the race, then a third on Saturday.
After the final practice session, the qualifying rounds begin. The first two qualifiers determine who will race. The slowest six are knocked out each round. The last qualifier decides pole position. Pole position is the first spot on the starting grid. It is awarded to the fastest driver in the Q3 (Qualifying 3). Earning a high position on the grid is important, as it has a ton of influence on who will get out front right off the bat.
The first practice was dominated by Ferrari. Leclerc finished in first, closely followed by teammate Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen took third. The second practice session was taken by Oscar Piastri from McLaren. Antonelli and Russell snagged second and third. The final practice was picked up by Russell with both Ferrari drivers close behind him.
The qualifiers brought action too. Four-time world champion Verstappen crashed in Q1, costing him his chance at pole position. Russell and Antonelli grabbed the front row. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, claimed third.
The race was 58 laps. Five drivers DNF (did not finish), this includes: Fernando Alonso from Aston Martin, Valtteri Bottas from Cadillac, Nico Hulkenberg from Audi, Hadjar, and Piastri.
George Russell came in first place. He is 28 years old and has been racing for eight seasons. Russell took the checkered flag at 1:23:06.801. He got 25 points. Kimi Antonelli finished in second, Russell’s teammate. He is only 19 years old. This is his second season. He was behind Russell by a mere 2.974 seconds. He still grabbed 18 points. Charles Leclerc, a driver for Ferrari, placed third. He was 15.519 seconds behind Russell. Leclerc gained 15 points from his place.
The next Grand Prix is in China on March 12th-15th, 2026. If you’re willing to wake up at two in the morning, you can catch it.
