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George Russell has revealed how Mercedes' suspicion of a "yo-yo" Australian Grand Prix came true in his early battle for the lead with Charles Leclerc.

From pole, Russell initially bogged down off the line as Charles Leclerc roared into the lead, and the Mercedes driver engaged in a "yo-yo" battle with the Ferrari for the lead in the opening stint, swapping places seven times between them.

Russell then pitted under a virtual safety car on Lap 11, but Ferrari did not do so, including under a secondary deployment, meaning its sole pit-stop was completed under green flag conditions.

Russell then navigated tyre graining concerns to claim his sixth grand prix victory and assume control of the drivers' championship for the first time after completing 46 laps on his set of hard tyres.

"It is incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning, but we knew it was going to be challenging," Russell said.

"I got on the grid and saw my battery had nothing in the tank, and made a bad start and then had some really tight battles with Charles.

"But I am grateful to the team; it has been a long time coming.

"We had this suspicion that it was going to be a bit of a yo-yo effect, as soon as one of us got in front, it was just impossible to hold the lead.

"Obviously, with the straight mode, we lose a lot at the front end of the car, so we're understeering a lot around these corners, so it was a bit sketchy, but we made it in one piece."