George Russell demands FIA make immediate rule change despite Australian GP win

Mercedes star George Russell has urged Formula 1's governing body, the FIA, to take action following his victory at the Australian Grand Prix.

Having qualified on pole, Russell endured a tough start to the race on Sunday as he was out-launched by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, who had moved from P4 to P1 by the time the cars arrived at the first corner.

The pair were then engaged in a close battle for P1, with Russell eventually coming out on top.

In the end, the Brit took the chequered flag ahead of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli and Leclerc.

Next weekend, Russell will be looking to go back-to-back as the 2026 F1 season continues with the Chinese Grand Prix, which will take place at the Shanghai International Circuit.

George Russell won the Australian Grand Prix. Image: Getty

Speaking at Parc Ferme after his victory in Melbourne, Russell claimed that the FIA may have to take a look at the new regulations already.

The 28-year-old touched on the new modes brought in to promote closer on-track battles having an impact on the leading car.

He said: "I’m feeling incredible, it was a hell of a fight at the beginning!We knew it was going to be challenging. I got on the grid. I saw my battery level, I had nothing in the tank, made a bad start, and then, obviously, some really tight battles with Charles, so I was really glad to cross the finish line.

"But, honestly, thank you so much to the whole team, because it’s been a long time coming to have this car beneath us, and couldn’t start off in a better way."

George Russell is the early favourite to win the 2026 world title. Image: Getty

Russell continued: "I’m glad you guys enjoyed it. We had this suspicion that it was gonna be a bit of a yo-yo effect, and as soon as one of us got in front, it just felt impossible to hold it, and, obviously, with this straight mode, we lose a lot of the front end on the car, so we’re sort of just understeering a lot around these corners.

"I’m sure, the FIA are going to have to improve that a little bit, because it was a bit sketchy, but yeah, made it in one piece, and just, yeah, glad to have won too."