George Russell demands FIA rule change and Lewis Hamilton breaks rank | F1 | Sport

Lewis Hamilton broke rank from his fellow drivers and offered a glowing review of the 2026 F1 cars, describing the new regulated machinery as “really fun” to drive following the Australian Grand Prix. His positive stance contrasts with several peers, as the seven-time champion enjoyed the tactical challenge of energy management and the “yoyo effect” of the new power units during the race.

A terrifying safety lapse occurred when an F1 marshal walked onto the live track to retrieve debris from Sergio Perez’s wing. Pundit Martin Brundle was left fuming at the scene, which took place while cars were still racing past, leading to urgent calls for better safety protocols to protect trackside officials and drivers.

Home favourite Oscar Piastri suffered a nightmare retirement after crashing on the formation lap. The McLaren driver blamed a combination of cold tyres and an unexpected 100kW power surge for the incident. Despite qualifying fifth, he was forced to watch from the sidelines as his team-mate Lando Norris secured a fifth-place finish for the team.

Max Verstappen made a brutal admission after fighting from 20th to sixth, stating the racing “is not fair” due to massive performance gaps between teams. The Red Bull star criticised the high tyre degradation and graining he faced, noting that overtaking cars two seconds slower than his own did not provide a satisfying competitive experience.

Fernando Alonso was retired from the race by Aston Martin to avoid “permanent nerve damage” caused by extreme car vibrations. Team principal Adrian Newey revealed the chassis issues were so severe that the vibration was transmitted into the driver’s fingers, limiting Alonso’s stint length. The Spaniard now looks toward China for potential mechanical solutions.

Norris issued a grave warning that the new 2026 regulations are a “big accident” waiting to happen. The McLaren champion criticised the “artificial” nature of the power units and the dangerous closing speeds between cars, suggesting that the current rules put drivers in a “horrible position” regarding their safety on the track.

A rivalry is brewing as Russell branded Lando Norris “selfish” for his vocal criticism of the new F1 rules. The race winner suggested that Norris only dislikes the regulations because McLaren is no longer dominant, arguing that the new format actually creates better drama for TV and should be given more time to succeed.