Formula 1 has already defined the official starting grid for the 2026 Australian GP, the first race of the season, held at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. The FIA confirmed the starting order for this Sunday’s race, with Mercedes occupying the front row and starting in a privileged position to open the championship.
Read more F1: Bortoleto finishes ninth in the Australian GP and starts 2026 in the points
George Russell starts from pole position after leading the German team’s one-two in qualifying. Beside him will be Kimi Antonelli, who completes the front row and reinforces Mercedes’ excellent start to the weekend at the opening of the new F1 season.
The second row will have Isack Hadjar, in third with Red Bull, and Charles Leclerc, in fourth with Ferrari. Just behind, McLaren places Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris on the third row, while Lewis Hamilton starts in seventh, keeping Ferrari with two cars among the top seven.
Another highlight of the official starting grid is the presence of Gabriel Bortoleto in the top 10. The Brazilian from Audi will start from tenth position, putting Brazil’s name in the spotlight already in the first stage of the championship. The team will also have Nico Hülkenberg right behind, in 11th, consolidating a competitive start in Melbourne.
Read more Brazil starts Formula 1 season in the points for the first time since 2017
Racing Bulls also appears well-positioned, with Liam Lawson in eighth and Arvid Lindblad in ninth. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, one of the strongest names on the grid, will have a recovery race ahead and will start from only 20th position.
Further back, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Williams, Alpine and Haas complete the starting grid for the Australian race. The expectation now turns to the race, which will be held in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, at 1:00 AM Brasília time (GMT -3).
Check the official starting grid for the 2026 Australian GP:
1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
12. Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes)
15. Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes)
17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda)
18. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari)
19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari)
20. Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
21. Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda)
Read more Check the 2026 F1 championship standings after the Australian GP
