FIA announces official Disqualification at Australian GP after Gp

FIA announces official Disqualification at Australian GP after Gp…

The celebratory mood at Mercedes has been cut short following a late-night FIA investigation at the Albert Park Circuit. In a move that has sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock, the FIA has announced the formal disqualification of a podium finisher from the 2026 Australian Grand Prix results.

While George Russell managed to keep his maiden win of the season despite a controversial “jump-start” inquiry, the technical delegates have struck a heavy blow elsewhere. Following extensive post-race scrutineering, it was revealed that Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes W17 failed to comply with the strict 2026 technical regulations regarding power unit energy management.

The Technical Breach

The investigation centered on the new “Straight Line Mode” energy harvesting systems. According to the official FIA statement, Antonelli’s car was found to have exceeded the maximum allowed energy deployment from the battery during several laps of the race.

> “Under the 2026 Technical Regulations, specifically Article 5.4.2, any energy deployment exceeding the prescribed mapping limits constitutes a performance infringement,” the FIA stewards’ report read. “Detailed telemetry data confirmed that car #12 utilized a non-compliant software override during the final stint to defend its position.”

A Massive Blow for Mercedes

The disqualification is a bittersweet end to what was a dominant weekend for the Silver Arrows. Mercedes had secured a flawless 1-2 finish on the track, signaling a return to their championship-winning form. With Antonelli now removed from the classification, the adjusted results see Charles Leclerc promoted to second place, and Lewis Hamilton moving up to take the final step on the podium for Ferrari.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes Team Principal, expressed his frustration shortly after the verdict was released. “We are devastated for Kimi, who drove a brilliant debut race,” Wolff stated. “The issue appears to be a calibration error within the new ERS software. We accept the FIA’s decision, though it is a harsh lesson to learn at the start of this new era.”

Chaos and Controversy

The 2026 season opener has already been marred by technical teething issues. Defending champion Lando Norris was among many drivers who voiced concerns throughout the weekend about the “sketchy” nature of the new regulations. The loss of a podium result on technical grounds only adds to the tension between the teams and the governing body.

For the Australian fans, the news adds further salt to the wound after local hero Oscar Piastri crashed out on the reconnaissance lap before the race even began.

Adjusted 2026 Australian GP Top 5:

1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
5. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)

The FIA has confirmed that further checks on all power unit software will be conducted ahead of the next round in Shanghai to ensure full compliance across the grid.