Mercedes 1-2 kicks off new F1 era, as McLaren's Norris bemoans changes

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australian Grand Prix winner, Mercedes' George Russell, said Sunday that fellow Briton Lando Norris would not be complaining if he was winning, after the reigning world champion lashed out at the new rules that have shaken up Formula One.
McLaren's Norris launched a scathing attack on changes to engine and chassis regulations after qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix, declaring they "suck" and the 2026 cars are the "worst" in history.
The shake-up has seen the engine power units switch to 50 percent battery, which drains and needs recharging by braking or by lifting off the throttle.
"We've come from the best cars ever made in Formula One, and the nicest to drive, to probably the worst. It sucks," Norris told reporters at the season-opener at Albert Park in Melbourne.
"Everyone knows what the issues are. It's just the fact the engine is a 50-50 split and it just doesn't work."
After winning a thrilling season-opening race, Russell was asked if he saw his rival's comments as "sour grapes" because McLaren was not as competitive so far this year.
"If he was winning I don't think he'd be saying the same," said Russell.
"Everyone is always looking to themselves and we are all selfish in this regard.
"The truth is last year we had the same engine as them and McLaren did a better job than us and they beat us. Now McLaren have got the same engine as us, the same as Williams and the same as Alpine, and so far we've done a better job than them.
"That's just how the game goes."
Russell added that drivers need to give the new regulations more time before casting judgement.
"Everyone's very quick to criticize things, you need to give it a shot," he said.
Norris came fifth to start his campaign, more than 51 seconds behind winner Russell.
Norris' McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri crashed out on a reconnaissance lap before the race even started and took no further part.
"It's looking like it's going to be a long, tough season, but we're in a reasonable place to start from and we'll do the best we can," said Norris.
Russell's teammate Kimi Antonelli followed him home, after a double-stacked pit stop under the virtual safety car outmaneuvered a lightning-quick start by Ferrari, giving Mercedes its 61st one-two result, and first since 2024's Las Vegas Grand Prix.
"We knew it was going to be challenging," Russell said. "I go onto the grid; I saw my battery level. I have nothing in the tank, made a bad start, and, honestly, had some really tight battles with Charles (Leclerc).
"I was really glad to cross the finish line, but honestly, thank you so much to the whole team, because it's been a long time coming to have this car beneath us, and I'm yeah, going to start off in a better way."
Starting in pole, Russell had a sluggish launch, as did Antonelli who dropped to seventh, allowing Ferrari's Leclerc — making best use of his smaller turbo for a quicker spool-up and getaway — to take the lead into turn one.
The Monegasque then diced for the top spot with Russell, passing and repassing, before the lap 12 deployment of the virtual safety car to cover the stopped Red Bull of Isack Hadjar saw both Mercedes cars take an opportunistic pit stop — a move that proved decisive.
Russell's teammate was again relieved to fight back to second, having dropped down to seventh at the start before weaving his way back into the podium positions.
"Yeah, the racing was incredible,"Antonelli said. "The first few laps, the overtake is so powerful that you can give a lot of action. So, it was really good fun at the beginning and yeah, now, a bit of rest and looking forward to China."

Ferrari outmaneuvered
Leclerc was third for his first podium for Ferrari since Mexico last year, with the 28-year-old frustrated to not go one place higher after the Scuderia erred by failing to follow Mercedes' quick thinking for a cheap pit stop under the virtual safety car.
Leclerc, though, didn't think the win was possible. "It looked like Mercedes maybe had a bit more pace than us today, but, maybe not as much as what we saw yesterday, so that's a good thing," he said.
"But I don't think we could have won."
Leclerc's teammate Lewis Hamilton was fourth, 0.6 seconds behind at the flag, having chased him hard in the closing laps.
The seven-time world champion was vocal over the radio at Ferrari's strategic blunders.
"At least one of us should have come in," Hamilton said as both Mercedes' pitted.
Solid Platform
After a strong debut, Cadillac principal Graeme Lowdon says the team has earned its rivals' respect and plans to build on a "really solid platform" for future success.
The American team didn't set the time sheets alight at 2026's first race, with Sergio Perez finishing 16th, up from 18th on the grid; while teammate Valtteri Bottas failed to finish from 19th.
"In terms of a first race for a new team. I'm really, really pleased with the way that the team's done everything," Lowdon said.
"It would have been great to get both cars home, for sure. But to get one car home, it's just kind of a mark of the start of a very, very long journey. I'm kind of more pleased with the whole approach of the team.
"I think what it does do is give some context of just how difficult Formula One is."