The 2026 Formula 1 season is kicking off in Melbourne today. 

Homegrown racer Liam Lawson will be facing the Albert Park street circuit once again – the race that saw him fail to finish last year. 

NZ Herald Sports Reporter Alex Powell told Ryan Bridge it’s been a tricky start to the year for everyone, with new cars and new regulations, so everyone’s waiting with bated breath to see how they’ll go. 

He says today will be the first time we’ll see these cars and race situation on a track. 

LISTEN ABOVE  

The 2026 Formula 1 season is kicking off in Melbourne today.&nbsp;
Homegrown racer Liam Lawson will be facing the Albert Park street circuit once again – the race that saw him fail to finish last year.&nbsp;
NZ Herald Sports Reporter Alex Powell told Ryan Bridge it’s been a tricky start to the year for everyone, with new cars and new regulations, so everyone’s waiting with bated breath to see how they’ll go.&nbsp;
He says today will be the first time we’ll see these cars and race situation on a track.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE &nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Alex Powell: NZ Herald Sports Reporter on the 2026 Formula 1 season kicking off in Melbourne

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/5d1918ba-beb4-4b9b-acb4-b4040177a833/transcript

A Russian drone has hit a train near the Ukraine-Poland border, moments after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other top European security officials had been present.

No one died in the attack, and all passengers were safely evacuated.

Johnson had been passing along the same line on a different train, returning from a conference in Kyiv.

UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's plenty of speculation behind the motives of the strike, with Ukraine claiming Johnson's train was the intended target.

LISTEN ABOVE

A Russian drone has hit a train near the Ukraine-Poland border, moments after former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and other top European security officials had been present.
No one died in the attack, and all passengers were safely evacuated.
Johnson had been passing along the same line on a different train, returning from a conference in Kyiv.
UK correspondent Gavin Grey says there's plenty of speculation behind the motives of the strike, with Ukraine claiming Johnson's train was the intended target.
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Russian drone striking train behind Boris Johnson and other dignitaries near Ukraine border

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/ebdcd00a-c4cc-4990-b8fd-b4c40164b979/transcript

The UK's GDP grew by 0.4 percent in July, surprising economists after no growth was predicted.

The economic growth was driven by several key sectors, and boosted by more businesses investing in AI and data centres.

Business correspondent Vicky Pryce says the World Cup also helped contribute to the growth, with more people spending money in pubs and restaurants over the July period.

LISTEN ABOVE

The UK's GDP grew by 0.4 percent in July, surprising economists after no growth was predicted.
The economic growth was driven by several key sectors, and boosted by more businesses investing in AI and data centres.
Business correspondent Vicky Pryce says the World Cup also helped contribute to the growth, with more people spending money in pubs and restaurants over the July period.
LISTEN ABOVE

Vicky Pryce: business correspondent on the UK GDP going up by 0.4 percent

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/fa8ff6f7-82df-442e-b103-b4c40161e171/transcript

The City Rail Link finally launched over the weekend and it's set to bring extra foot traffic to Auckland CBD, but concerns have been raised over the potential risks.

National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team if elected, pledging an extra $7 million per year through Budget 2027 to recruit the extra officers.

Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina says this is the right move, and he's been consistent in saying that the community needs to be protected.

"We need to protect the community, in particular, within the CRL - along with the transport officers." 

LISTEN ABOVE

The City Rail Link finally launched over the weekend and it's set to bring extra foot traffic to Auckland CBD, but concerns have been raised over the potential risks.
National's promising a dedicated Auckland Transport police team if elected, pledging an extra $7 million per year through Budget 2027 to recruit the extra officers.
Auckland Councillor Alf Filipaina says this is the right move, and he's been consistent in saying that the community needs to be protected.
"We need to protect the community, in particular, within the CRL - along with the transport officers."&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE

Alf Filipaina: Auckland Councillor on the launch of the City Rail Link and whether extra police are needed

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bca7d86b-6e55-4c8b-b958-b4c4015d2988/transcript

Alex Powell: NZ Herald Sports Reporter on the 2026 Formula 1 season kicking off in Melbourne

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