An update on the driver and constructor standings after the Australian Grand Prix

After the first race of the season in Melbourne, the championship hierarchy is already beginning to take shape. Thanks to its one-two finish at the Australian Grand Prix, Mercedes logically takes the lead in both the drivers' and constructors' standings.

Mercedes gets off to an ideal start to the season

The Australian Grand Prix offered a spectacular start to the season. As soon as the lights went out, Charles Leclerc got off to the best start to take the lead, while George Russell had to wait before regaining the advantage on the second lap.
The race then gradually swung in Mercedes' favor, thanks in particular to a perfectly executed strategy during the first Virtual Safety Car period caused by the retirement of Isack Hadjar. But also thanks to a much stronger pace than the Scuderia, let's be honest. data-end=”848″>Isack Hadjar. But also thanks to a much stronger pace than the Scuderia, let's be honest.

At the finish, Russell won ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli, giving the German team a one-two finish at the start of the season. Ferrari completed the podium with Leclerc and Hamilton, but remained at a distance.

This result puts Mercedes immediately at the top of the constructors' championship, with 43 points already to its credit. However, Ferrari limited the damage with 27 points thanks to its double podium finish.

Behind them, the midfield hierarchy is also beginning to take shape: Haas, Racing Bulls, Audi, and Alpine all opened their accounts in this first round.

Manufacturers' standings after Australia

Russell takes the lead in the drivers' championship

The Australian victory logically allows George Russell to take the lead in the drivers' championship with 25 points.

His teammate Kimi Antonelli, who finished second in Melbourne despite a poor start, follows closely behind with 18 points.

Ferrari completes the top three with Charles Leclerc (15 points), while Lewis Hamilton (12 points) is in fourth place.

Further down the field, several drivers are still stuck on zero points after this first race, notably Oscar Piastri, who was involved in an accident during the reconnaissance lap, and Fernando Alonso, Valtteri Bottas, Isack Hadjar, and Pierre Gasly.” data-end=”3158″>Valtteri Bottas, Isack Hadjar and Nico Hülkenberg, all of whom were forced to retire or did not start.

This first race also highlighted several young drivers. Oliver Bearman finished seventh and scored six points, while Arvid Lindblad impressed in his F1 debut with an eighth-place finish and four points at just 18 years old. Gabriel Bortoleto also scored two points for Audi's debut in Formula 1.

Driver standings after the Australian Grand Prix

1. George Russell – 25 points

2. Kimi Antonelli – 18 points

3. Charles Leclerc – 15 points

4. Lewis Hamilton – 12 points

5. Lando Norris – 10 points

6. Max Verstappen – 8 points

7. Oliver Bearman – 6 points

8. Arvid Lindblad – 4 points

9. Gabriel Bortoleto – 2 points

10. Pierre Gasly – 1 point

11. Esteban Ocon – 0 points

12. Alexander Albon – 0 points

13. Liam Lawson – 0 points

14. Franco Colapinto – 0 points

15. Carlos Sainz – 0 points

16. Sergio Perez – 0 points

17. Oscar Piastri – 0 points

18. Fernando Alonso – 0 points

19. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points

20. Isack Hadjar – 0 points

21. Nico Hülkenberg – 0 points

22. Lance Stroll – 0 points