RUSS AND THEM

Dominant win Down Under for Mercedes as George shows way.

- DANIEL MOXON

Charles Leclerc flew into the lead on the opening lap while Lewis Hamilton was propelled from sixth on the grid to third by Ferrari's quick-firing new engine.

A duel for the lead ensued between Leclerc and Russell, the key battle in a truly entertaining Grand Prix, despite mostly gloomy predictions for the state of racing with these new cars.

Many drivers don't like how much electrical energy management they have to do now, but there's no denying it makes for an intriguing tactical battle when two cars engage in a dogfight.