While both George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli showed strong pace on longer runs with the harder C3 and C4 tire compounds, their one-lap pace was off what their rivals showed on Friday. Russell finished FP1 in P7,

Mercedes finished 184 points behind Ferrari in the constructors' standings last year, but Russell believes their season-opening display has them ahead at this early stage

Max Verstappen and George Russell were involved in an awkward exchange having both got themselves up onto the podium at the Australian Grand Prix. The pair were embroiled in a heated dispute at the end of the 2024 season, after Verstappen was unhappy with Russell's behaviour having been given a penalty after qualifying for the Qatar GP.