Post by Red Bull Media House

The 2026 Formula One season opened in Melbourne with a dramatic race at Albert Park, delivering a strong start for the Red Bull Ford Powertrains teams. Max Verstappen produced an impressive comeback drive for Oracle Red Bull Racing, fighting from 20th on the grid to finish sixth in a race won by Mercedes’ George Russell. Despite early issues at the start, the four-time world champion worked his way through the field to secure valuable points in the opening round. Reflecting on the race, Verstappen said: “The first laps were pretty hectic and we just needed to stay out of trouble. I had some issues at the start with the battery, so as soon as the clutch was dropped, I had no power. That is something we need to understand.” He added: “Overall the team still did a great job: it was a decent comeback from P20 and we will work as a team to close the gap further.” At Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, rookie Arvid Lindblad delivered an impressive Formula One debut. Starting ninth on the grid, the 18-year-old drove a composed race to finish eighth and score his first F1 points in his first Grand Prix. Oracle Red Bull Racing CEO and Team Principal Laurent Mekies reflected on the broader significance of the opening weekend: “This has been a very important weekend for Formula One, the first race of a new era for the sport and, after weeks of speculation, fans were treated to an enthralling contest this afternoon in Albert Park.” He added: “In case anyone needs reminding of what an exceptional driver Max is, he put in a fantastic performance to go from 20th on the grid to sixth at the finish.” With valuable data gathered during the season opener, the teams now look ahead to the next round of the championship in China. Full story & photos for media > https://win.gs/4rY1hbv