Max Verstappen sees off Mercedes to take Australian Grand Prix pole position
Max Verstappen saw off a spirited Mercedes fightback to put his Red Bull on pole position for the Australian Grand Prix.
Albert Park Sport News
Max Verstappen takes Australian Grand Prix pole position from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton as Sergio Perez crashes
Max Verstappen took pole position from George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for the Australian Grand Prix in tricky conditions during qualifying in Melbourne. Light rain before qualifying, cool conditions and chaos in the three practice sessions meant there were plenty of unknowns, but Verstappen came out on top with a superb final run in Q3 that was 0.236 seconds faster than Russell, with Hamilton another 0.136 seconds further adrift. Ad Verstappen, who has never won at Albert Park, was the only driver in Q3 to not do a warm-up lap before his flying laps.
Mercedes Will Take 'Huge' Confidence From Australia: George Russell
George Russell said his Mercedes car was the "best" he had raced and the team took "huge" confidence from qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix regardless of what happens in the race. The Briton will start from the front row in Melbourne on Sunday alongside dominant Red Bull champion Max Verstappen, with his teammate Lewis Hamilton third. Their efforts, outpacing Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and both the Ferraris, raised hopes that they could make the podium. Team boss Toto Wolff said this week Mercedes had made "promising" progress since the first two grand prix of the season, and Russell said he couldn't be happier.
Max Verstappen On Pole In Australia As Mercedes Bounce Back
Double world champion Max Verstappen claimed pole on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes' George Russell, but his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez had a torrid time and will start last. In overcast and cool conditions, Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes was third ahead of Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso in a tight session that went to the wire. Last year's winner Charles Leclerc came seventh in the Ferrari, with his teammate Carlos Sainz fifth. It was a huge performance from Mercedes, whose W14 has struggled for speed but is clearly improving as they bettered Ferrari.
Verstappen on pole in Australia as Mercedes bounce back
MELBOURNE: Double world champion Max Verstappen claimed pole on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell, but his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez had a torrid time and will start last. In overcast and cool conditions, Lewis Hamilton in the other Mercedes was third ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in a tight session that went to the wire. Last year’s winner Charles Leclerc came seventh in the Ferrari, with his teammate Carlos Sainz fifth.
Verstappen sets the pace ahead of Aus GP qualifying, but Alonso is on his heels
Double world champion Max Verstappen clocked the fastest time in the third and final practice on Saturday for the Australian Grand Prix, but his Red Bull teammate Sergo Perez had a horror session to finish sixth.
Verstappen fastest in final practice at Australian Grand Prix
MELBOURNE : Formula One champion Max Verstappen topped the timesheet for Red Bull in the third and final practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday but his team mate Sergio Perez struggled through a mishap-strewn session.
Fernando Alonso Fastest In Wet Australian Second practice, Max Verstappen Third
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso topped the timesheets ahead of Ferrari ace Charles Leclerc in a rain-hit second practice at the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, but world champion Max Verstappen went fastest for the day. The Spanish veteran followed up his podium finishes at the first two races of the season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia with another eye-opening run. He powered around the bumpy Albert Park circuit under darkening clouds before rain fell in a best time of one minute 18.887 seconds among his 13 laps, bettering his fourth place in the first one-hour session.