Has The Australian F1 Grand Prix Set The Pace For The Season?

Formula One returned for 2026 with the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park in Melbourne. New Season and new rules set the scene for an interesting race from the the start. 

Joining Nicola Hume and Ben Edwards for the debrief is broadcaster and host of the BBC's F1: Back At Base, Holly Samos. 

Ferrari are back. Charles Leclerc on the podium, but could they have won? Welcome Arvin Lindblad. What a debut from the only rookie. It was a terrible Saturday followed by a sensational Sunday from Max Verstappen, but he Mebourne curse struck again for Oscar Piastri and 5th for Lando Norris. Did McLaren overcook it in 2025?
Meanwhile, Mercedes are back. Toto Wolff is smoother than ever, but they didn't have it all their own way and as the new regulations are here, what do we think of the 2026 F1 style? We talk about the fact that drivers are now having to back off in qualifying. Is this right? And there's no time to rest as it's the Chinese F1 Grand Prix this weekend in Shanghai with the first Sprint race. Could this circuit give us a good idea of what is to come this year? The team share their predictions for the Chinese Grand Prix.