Max Verstappen, driving for Red Bull, secured pole for the Australian Grand Prix, marking a standout qualifying performance at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit. Verstappen clocked a time of 1:16.732, delivering the 22nd pole position of his career and underscoring why he remains the defending world champion and the man to beat in the championship standings. The session highlighted the sheer pace of the Dutch driver and the consistency that defines his recent success, signaling a strong start for Red Bull as the season gathers pace. Source: Formula 1
Alongside Verstappen on the front row, the battle for grid position showcased a familiar mix of talent and strategy. In a notable display, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell of Mercedes locked out the second row, with Hamilton just three tenths behind Verstappen, underscoring Mercedes’ responsive development this season. Russell slotted ahead of Hamilton in that immediate context, reinforcing the team’s capacity to compete at the sharp end of quali sessions. Source: Formula 1
The Mercedes camp appeared buoyed by strong pace with strategic balance across the top three positions in the shootout. Fernando Alonso, representing Aston Martin, and Carlos Sainz, driving for Ferrari, completed a compelling top five, separated by measured margins that keep the championship picture tight as the lights go out. Alonso’s consistency remains a talking point for fans and analysts, as his experience continues to extract maximum performance from the car. Sainz, meanwhile, will be aiming to convert fifth on the grids into a positive race result after exploring several setup directions. Source: Formula 1
Further back, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari encountered some on-track challenges that left him seventh on the grid. The session also featured competitive runs from Alex Albon (Williams), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Nico Hülkenberg (Haas), who rounded out the top 10. Each driver demonstrated a strong push for position, with the balance of speed and reliability shaping the starting order for an Australian Grand Prix that promises close racing from lights to checkered flag. Source: Formula 1
Australian F1 GP Schedule
Sunday, April 1
- Race: 07:00
Where to Watch the Australian F1 GP?
As in recent seasons, the broadcasting rights for Formula 1 in Spain are held by DAZN, which offers all practice sessions, qualifying, and the race on its channels. DAZN can be subscribed independently or via the Movistar Plus+ platform, which may include additional access to live feeds. If the intended channel lineup is unavailable, fans can follow the action live through the race live stream provided by the official coverage. Source: Formula 1