Formula 1, Sportrik Media - George Russell secured pole position for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix after setting the fastest time during qualifying at Albert Park Circuit. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team driver led a strong session for Mercedes, finishing over three tenths clear of the competition.
Team-mate Kimi Antonelli produced an impressive recovery from his heavy FP3 crash to qualify second. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar delivered a standout performance in his debut season with Red Bull Racing, securing third on the grid.
The session proved disastrous for reigning champion Max Verstappen, who spun at Turn 1 during his first flying lap in Q1 and crashed into the barrier. As a result, the Dutch driver failed to record a lap time and will start Sunday’s race from the back of the grid.
Two other drivers also failed to set a qualifying lap time: Carlos Sainz Jr of Williams Racing and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin.
| POS | FOTO | RIDER / TEAM | TIME / GAP | PTS/LAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | George RussellMercedes | 1:18.518 - United Kingdom | |
2 |  | Kimi AntonelliMercedes | 1:18.811 - Italy | |
3 |  | Isack HadjarRed Bull | 1:19.303 - Prancis | |
4 |  | Charles LeclercFerrari | 1:19.327 - Monaco | |
5 |  | Oscar PiastriMcLaren | 1:19.380 - Australia | |
6 |  | Lando NorrisMcLaren | 1:19.475 - United Kingdom | |
7 |  | Lewis HamiltonFerrari | 1:19.478 - United Kingdom | |
8 |  | Liam LawsonRacing Bulls | 1:19.994 - New Zealand | |
9 |  | Arvid LindbladRacing Bulls | 1:21.247 - Inggris | |
10 |  | Gabriel BortoletoAudi | - Brazil | |
11 |  | Nico HulkenbergAudi | 1:20.303 - Germany | |
12 |  | Oliver BearmanHaas | 1:20.311 - United Kingdom | |
13 |  | Esteban OconHaas | 1:20.491 - France | |
14 |  | Pierre GaslyAlpine | 1:20.501 - France | |
15 |  | Alexander AlbonWilliams | 1:20.941 - Thailand | |
16 |  | Franco ColapintoAlpine | 1:21.270 - Argentina | |
17 |  | Fernando AlonsoAston Martin | 1:21.969 - Spain | |
18 |  | Sergio PerezCadillac | 1:22.605 - Meksiko | |
19 |  | Valtteri BottasCadillac | 1:23.244 - Finlandia | |
20 |  | Max VerstappenRed Bull | - Netherlands | |
21 |  | Carlos Sainz JrWilliams | - | |
22 |  | Lance StrollAston Martin | - Canada |
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George Russell confident after securing pole position for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli.
Kimi Antonelli reaches Q2 at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix after Mercedes rebuilds his car following a heavy FP3 crash.
Max Verstappen crashes out in Q1 during qualifying for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix after losing control under braking at Albert Park.
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