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.