McLaren are so fast they can already switch their attention to next year's car, Mercedes driver George Russell said on Saturday after the reigning champions locked out the front row in Australian Grand Prix qualifying.

George Russell told McLaren they have the luxury of focusing on 2026 such is their advantage over the rest of the field. McLaren began 2025 with a front-row lockout and P4 Russell believes it is a pattern that will continue.

The Mercedes driver feels McLaren cannot be caught over the 2025 Formula 1 campaign after an impressive display in qualifying for the season-opener in Melbourne

Lando Norris rubbishes intriguing George Russell claim despite McLaren victory in Australia - McLaren had the quickest car at the season-opener as Norris claimed his fifth F1 race victory

The Melbourne race had a thrilling start with Racing Bull’s Isack Hadjar out on the formation lap, and Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Williams’ Carlos Sainz crashing out on the opening lap.

Lando Norris's win ended Max Verstappen's long run at the top of the championship standings dating back to May 2022.