Mercedes Ferrari

F1 teams debate start procedure changes after Australian GP near-miss

March 12, 2026 Ti AI ṣe iroyin Àwòrán tí AI ṣe

A near-collision at the start of the 2026 Australian Grand Prix has sparked calls for Formula 1 rule changes to improve safety, but opposition from Ferrari has stalled progress. Mercedes driver George Russell accused rivals of selfishness for blocking adjustments to battery harvest limits during formation laps. Ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, the FIA introduced extra practice starts but rejected broader reforms.