Leclerc storms into the lead as Mercedes drivers fumble start in Australia
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 05:13, 08 Mar
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Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Charles Leclerc stormed into the lead on the opening lap of the Australian Grand Prix after a brilliant start saw him jump ahead of the front-running Mercedes duo.
Sunday’s race had already descended into chaos before the lights even went out, as the home favourite crashed on the way to the grid in Melbourne.
Charles Leclecr - Photo: Race Pictures
The McLaren driver was later confirmed to be okay after his car snapped upon touching the kerb at Turn 4, heavily damaging the right-hand side of his MCL40.
Leclerc was not the only Ferrari driver to make a flying start, with Lewis Hamilton also surging into the top three after starting seventh at Albert Park.
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Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, however, was the biggest mover on the opening lap, climbing into the top 10 from 16th on the grid.
Further down the order, several drivers gained positions on the opening lap, including Max Verstappen, who climbed up the field after starting from 20th place on the grid.
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