Rome, 8 March (LaPresse) – In Melbourne, the first Grand Prix of the season, Mercedes scored a one-two with British driver George Russell winning ahead of Kimi Antonelli. Charles Leclerc's Ferrari came third and Lewis Hamilton's other red car fourth. World champion Lando Norris came fifth in his McLaren ahead of Max Verstappen, who started from the penultimate row. It had been since 2019 that an Italian driver had last stood on the podium at the Australian Grand Prix (the last was Jarno Trulli). Oscar Piastri, the reigning runner-up, had to retire due to an accident on the out lap from the pits before the start. For Russell, this is his sixth career victory and for Antonelli, his fourth podium finish.