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George Russell took pole position for the Australian Grand Prix after Max Verstappen crashed out in Q1, while the Brit’s Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli could be in line for a grid penalty
Max Verstappen suffered a dramatic crash in qualifying in Melbourne(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
George Russell delivered on the pre-season expectations with a commanding qualifying display to claim pole position for the Australian Grand Prix. Meanwhile, one of those who hopes to challenge him for the Formula 1 title this season suffered an early setback as Max Verstappen crashed out before he even had the opportunity to complete one flying lap.
That meant the Dutchman was condemned to a start towards the rear of the grid on Sunday, but there was some consolation for Red Bull as new team-mate Isack Hadjar got off to a superb start by qualifying third. But no-one ever appeared likely to prevent the Mercedes cars and Russell in particular, who topped the timesheets in final practice and converted that into pole.
His team-mate Kimi Antonelli was concerned that he might not be able to get out on track at all in qualifying after a massive crash towards the end of final practice just a few hours earlier.
It would be a close call but Mercedes were assisted by Verstappen’s smash in Q1 which made the four-time F1 champion the first major name to drop out of pole contention and also gave Antonelli’s mechanics the extra few minutes they needed to get the car fired up.
Verstappen wasn’t the only one who failed to set a time – Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz both remained in the garage throughout Q1 and ran out of time before Aston Martin and Williams could resolve their respective problems. Cadillac duo Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez were the two slowest of those who did manage a flying lap, whilst Fernando Alonso was the other driver in the bottom six.
Last year’s strugglers Alpine will have been satisfied to get both cars into Q2, but that was where their day concluded with Franco Colapinto 16th and Pierre Gasly qualifying only two positions higher. Alex Albon separated them to end Williams’ involvement in qualifying whilst both Haas cars also missed out on the top 10, with Nico Hulkenberg 11th in the Audi.
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Team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto made it into Q3 but limped into the pit lane at the conclusion of that middle session of qualifying, managing a problem that prevented him from getting back out on track. Antonelli’s dramatic day continued, Mercedes leaving two cooling components on his car when he departed the garage.
Both of them fell off, one onto the track which was then destroyed by Lando Norris’ McLaren, sending debris flying and triggering more red flags. Nine cars took to the track when Q3 truly kicked off, and Arvid Lindblad outpaced team-mate Liam Lawson to round off an impressive F1 qualifying debut by ranking eighth fastest in the Racing Bulls.
Lewis Hamilton secured seventh place behind the two McLarens, with Norris in sixth and Melbourne’s own Oscar Piastri only starting fifth in front of his local fans. Charles Leclerc achieved fourth but was outperformed by Hadjar who delivered a stellar performance to alleviate Red Bull’s disappointment after witnessing Verstappen crash out earlier.
However, it appears to be an all-Mercedes front row on Sunday, with only Antonelli managing to get within seven-tenths of Russell’s top time. The Italian could face a grid penalty, though, as he is under investigation for a pit lane violation and also an unsafe release from what turned out to be a very eventful qualifying session for the teenager.
Full 2026 Australian Grand Prix qualifying result
George Russell – MercedesKimi Antonelli – Mercedes*Isack Hadjar – Red BullCharles Leclerc – FerrariOscar Piastri – McLarenLando Norris – McLarenLewis Hamilton – FerrariArvid Lindblad – Racing BullsLiam Lawson – Racing BullsGabriel Bortoleto – AudiNico Hulkenberg – AudiOliver Bearman – HaasEsteban Ocon – HaasPierre Gasly – AlpineAlex Albon – WilliamsFranco Colapinto – AlpineFernando Alonso – Aston MartinSergio Perez – CadillacValtteri Bottas – Cadillac
No time: Max Verstappen – Red Bull; Carlos Sainz – Williams; Lance Stroll; Aston Martin.
*Antonelli is under investigation by the stewards for a pit lane infringement and also for an unsafe release during qualifying.
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