Formula 1, Sportrik Media - George Russell has received strong backing to shine during the 2026 Formula 1 season following his dominant victory at the Australian Grand Prix. However, former F1 driver Eddie Irvine insists that if he owned a race team, he would still choose Max Verstappen as his first driver.
Russell reinforced his status as an early championship contender by converting pole position into victory at Albert Park. The Mercedes driver led a commanding one-two finish for the team, with his team-mate Kimi Antonelli crossing the line in second place.
Irvine, who raced in Formula 1 from 1993 to 2002 with teams such as Jordan, Ferrari, and Jaguar, believes Mercedes has shown promising early-season form. The former grand prix winner also expects Russell to outperform Antonelli over the course of the campaign.
“I think Mercedes is looking pretty good, aren’t they? The fact that both of their drivers are right up there says a lot. Over the season, Russell will definitely beat Antonelli,” Irvine told RacingNews365.
Despite his praise for Russell, Irvine was clear that Verstappen remains the standout driver on the current grid. The four-time world champion is still regarded as the most valuable signing for any team seeking success in Formula 1.
“If you’re owning a team and you want to hire a driver, you have to hire Verstappen,” Irvine said.
“Is he my favourite driver? I don’t know about that, but if I’m going to hire someone, I’m going to hire Verstappen because he’s the best out there at this moment in time. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is also incredibly fast.”
The Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park also marked the beginning of a new chapter in Formula 1 following one of the most significant regulatory changes in the sport’s history, particularly concerning the latest power unit framework and energy management systems.
The new regulations have generated mixed reactions across the paddock and among fans. Some welcomed the increased overtaking opportunities, while others criticised the racing for being overly dependent on energy management and technical constraints.
From Irvine’s perspective, Formula 1 would benefit from a simpler technical approach to its engines.
“I would much prefer that they just made it much simpler. Straight, normally aspirated engines with lots of noise, because I think the customers don’t really care,” he explained.
“I like the idea of V engines again, removing turbos because they reduce the noise, and using renewable fuel.”
While concerns exist that growing technical complexity could distance some fans from the sport, Irvine believes Formula 1 has evolved beyond being purely about racing.
“Formula 1 is more than just a sport now. It’s a feeling,” he said.
With Russell beginning the 2026 season with victory and Verstappen still widely regarded as the benchmark driver on the grid, the battle for the world championship is expected to intensify as the Formula 1 season progresses.
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