Antonelli wins to become youngest title leader
But a second place finally gets the Australian's season off the ground, and gives McLaren their first 2026 podium, after he had failed to start the first two races. "Turns out we're all right when we actually get to start," Piastri said. "A shame we never got to see what would have happened, but for us at this point to be disappointed about finishing second is a pretty good place to be.
" Oscar Piastri and George Russell fought a close battle for the lead before the pit stops At the restart, Antonelli quickly built a lead over his pursuers as Piastri managed to stay a couple of seconds clear of a scrap between the Ferraris and Russell, with Hamilton, who also benefited from the safety car, passing his former Mercedes team-mate at the restart. Russell lost that place because he hit the harvest limit early, which meant he was not recharging into the chicane so had less energy for the restart. He could not get through on Hamilton and then things got worse for him when the engine went into an unexpected recharge session before Spoon Curve on lap 37 and Leclerc was able to pass.
Leclerc then passed Hamilton with a daring move around the outside of the first two corners on lap 42 and Russell moved past the seven-time champion down the pit straight the following lap. Russell challenged Leclerc for the remaining 10 laps and did make it past into the chicane with three laps to go. But Leclerc swept back past the Mercedes with his signature move around the outside of Turn One at the start of the next lap to secure the final podium position.
A fourth place for Russell leaves the pre-season favourite with plenty to ponder as he heads into the break enforced by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix as a result of the US/Israeli war with Iran. Hamilton was left to fend off Norris. They swapped positions on lap 47/48, with Norris driving past into the chicane and Hamilton driving past again on the pit straight as their engines were at different stages of battery level.
Hamilton hung on for a few laps before Norris finally took fifth place for good with two laps to go. Alpine's Pierre Gasly was best of the rest in seventh, fending off the uncompetitive Red Bull of Max Verstappen, Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson and Haas' Esteban Ocon. At the back, there was a breakthrough of sorts for Aston Martin as they finished a race for the first time.