2026 F1
Qualifying Results – 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix
George Russell Storms to Pole as Kimi Antonelli Completes Mercedes Front-Row Lockout; Max Verstappen Crashes Out Early
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time | Tyre |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:18.518 | |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:18.811 | |
| 3 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | 1:19.303 | |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:19.327 | |
| 5 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:19.380 | |
| 6 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:19.475 | |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:19.478 | |
| 8 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | 1:19.994 | |
| 9 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | 1:21.247 | |
| 10 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | ||
| 11 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | 1:20.303 | |
| 12 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | 1:20.311 | |
| 13 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | 1:20.491 | |
| 14 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | 1:20.501 | |
| 15 | Alexander Albon | Williams | 1:20.941 | |
| 16 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:21.270 | |
| 17 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:21.969 | |
| 18 | Sergio Pérez | Cadillac | 1:22.605 | |
| 19 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:23.244 | |
| 20 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | ||
| 21 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | ||
| 22 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin |
Mercedes looked strong throughout the session, with Russell ultimately putting together the fastest lap when it mattered most. Antonelli followed closely behind, sealing a front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows and underlining the team’s pace heading into race day.
George Russell delivered a commanding performance in qualifying to secure pole position, leading a dominant Mercedes one-two alongside teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell’s blistering lap set the benchmark for the session, while the young Italian continued his impressive form to line up second on the grid.
Behind the Mercedes duo, Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar produced a standout performance to qualify third. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc secured fourth, while McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris completed the third row in fifth and sixth respectively. Lewis Hamilton placed seventh for Ferrari, with Liam Lawson eighth for Racing Bulls. Arvid Lindblad impressed in ninth, while Audi rookie Gabriel Bortoleto rounded out the top ten.
The session saw several notable eliminations as the field battled through the knockout format. Knocked out in Q2 were Nico Hulkenberg, Oliver Bearman, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Alexander Albon and Franco Colapinto.
The biggest shock of qualifying came in Q1 when reigning champion Max Verstappen crashed out during the opening segment, ending his session prematurely and leaving him far down the order. He was joined in the early elimination zone by Fernando Alonso, Sergio Perez, Valtteri Bottas, Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll.
With Mercedes locking out the front row and several frontrunners starting out of position, the stage is set for an unpredictable and exciting race.