The 2026 Formula 1 season opened in China with Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli winning the race and earning 25 points after 56 laps. Teammate George Russell finished second, delivering a strong 1-2 result for the team at the top of the early leaderboard. The report observes that while this marks a positive start for Mercedes, the season is still young as the series travels onward. The primary source also addresses fan interest in the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix by detailing options to watch the 2026 F1 season livestream online for free. This connects to the broader pattern of media outlets expanding digital access guides as live sports shift toward streaming consumption. Observation: the reported finishing order and points are taken directly from the source. Citation: https://variety.com/shop/how-to-watch-f1-2026-season-livestream-online-free-1235212614/