2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix

George Russell smashes F1 rivals but Max Verstappen defies expectations

George Russell is an obvious pick for Australian Grand Prix winner after he dominated qualifying in Melbourne — but Max Verstappen has received unexpected backing!

RacingNews365 Staff

8 March 4:38AM

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A strong plurality of F1 fans believe George Russell will win the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where he starts from pole position.

The Mercedes driver leads team-mate Kimi Antonelli off the line, ahead of the Red Bull of Isack Hadjar and Charles Leclerc.

McLaren locked out the third row, with Oscar Piastri pipping world champion Lando Norris in the second MCL40, with Lewis Hamilton having to settle for seventh in the second Ferrari.

However, remarkably, it is Max Verstappen down in P20 who F1 fans feel is the second-most likely driver to triumph in Melbourne.

The Dutchman crashed during Q1 at Albert Park, but a significant number of fans have still backed the four-time F1 drivers' champion to carve through the field.

Check out the full results from the latest poll by RacingNews365 below!

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