Try GOLD - Free
Russell wins first race of new Formula 1 era
Liverpool Echo
|March 09, 2026
MERCEDES HAVE THE EDGE ON RIVALS IN SEASON OPENER
Mercedes team members applaud George Russell after his Australian Grand Prix victory
GEORGE Russell said he overcame a “hell of a fight” to land a win in Australia and lay down a marker in his world championship bid.
Pole-sitter Russell lost out to a fast-starting Charles Leclerc at the first corner in Melbourne before going on to trade the lead with his Ferrari rival five times during a frenetic start.
At the beginning of the ninth lap, Russell locked up under braking as he attempted to clear Leclerc, but their yo-yo battle ended when Isack Hadjar stopped with an engine failure and the Virtual Safety Car was deployed.
Russell pitted for new tyres but Ferrari erroneously kept Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton out on track.
Ferrari's blunder allowed Russell to race to the chequered flag unopposed.
This story is from the March 09, 2026 edition of Liverpool Echo.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Police urge public to stop sharing rumours of hoax school threats
MERSEYSIDE
3 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Iran picks new leader
IRAN has named Ayatollah Mojtabba Khamenei, a son of its late supreme leader, as its next ruler, putting a hard-line cleric in charge as the war spreading across the Middle East sent oil prices soaring, with the Islamic Republic launching new attacks on regional energy infrastructure.
2 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
'Competition is a great thing for business, honestly it's what keeps you sharp'
THE owner of Liverpool-based restaurant brand Mowgli has said “competition is what keeps you sharp” as a new Indian restaurant brand arrives in the city.
2 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
SHOWDOWN!
HENDERSON AND MULLINS GO HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ARKLE ON DAY ONE
2 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Ex-cop walks free from court despite 'repugnant' image found on phone
A FORMER Merseyside police officer has walked free from court despite a judge branding an extreme sadistic image found on his phone \"repugnant\".
2 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Even in very difficult times joy is always there... you just need to look for it
AS HER MEMOIR IS PUBLISHED, TV PRESENTER RUTH LANGSFORD TALKS TO KERRI-ANN ROPER ABOUT FEELING FABULOUS AND WHY WOMEN SHOULDN'T BE MADE TO FEEL INVISIBLE AFTER 50
4 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Moyes right not to obsess about Blues' home form
FORMER BLUES DEFENDER TACKLES THE TALKING POINTS
6 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Giorgi's time IS coming - but maybe sooner than even he expected
GIORGI Mamardashvili insists his “time will come” at Liverpool as the goalkeeper gets set to deputise for Alisson Becker at Galatasaray tonight.
1 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
We're NOT favourites - Simeone
FORMER BLUES DEFENDER TACKLES THE TALKING POINTS
1 mins
March 10, 2026
Liverpool Echo
Rodri fined after referee criticism
MANCHESTER
1 min
March 10, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size