A New F1 Era Begins: Australian Grand Prix Recap | Mercedes On Top, Chinese GP Preview, F1 Academy

The 2026 Formula 1 season is officially underway, and the Australian Grand Prix gave us plenty to talk about.In this episode of The Grid Girls Formula, we break down everything that happened during the season-opening race in Melbourne, including Mercedes locking out the front row with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, Ferrari’s frustrating strategy decisions, and the impact of the new battery boost system that some drivers compared to a video game.We also discuss standout rookie performances, early struggles from teams like Aston Martin and Cadillac, and whether the new regulations are already making races more exciting.Plus, we look ahead to the Chinese Grand Prix and briefly preview the opening race of the F1 Academy season in Shanghai.In this episode we cover:• Australian Grand Prix race recap• Mercedes’ early dominance with Russell and Antonelli• Ferrari strategy mistakes and race pace• Rookie performances from Lindblad, Hadjar, and Bortoleto• The new battery boost / overtaking system• Aston Martin’s vibration concerns• Chinese Grand Prix preview• F1 Academy season opener in ChinaIf you enjoy deep dives into the engineering, strategy, and stories behind Formula 1, make sure to follow the podcast and rate the show.Follow along on Instagram and Threads: www.instagram.com/gridgirlsformula