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George Russell claimed a dominant pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as his team-mate Kimi Antonelli completed a front-row lockout for Mercedes.
Having unleashed pace earlier on Saturday in final practice that many suspected Mercedes had been holding back, Russell was in a class of his own at Albert Park as he finished almost three tenths clear of Antonelli.
The Italian teenager's participation in the session had been in major doubt after his huge crash in final practice, but Mercedes repaired his car just in time for him to get on track in the closing stages of Q1.
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Mercedes' cause was aided by Q1 being delayed by Max Verstappen crashing out of the first part of qualifying, but there was consolation for Red Bull as the four-time world champion's new team-mate Isack Hadjar took a hugely impressive third behind the Silver Arrows.
More to follow...
Australian GP Qualifying Timesheet
| 1) George Russell | Mercedes | 1:18.518 |
| 2) Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.293 |
| 3) Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +0.785 |
| 4) Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.809 |
| 5) Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.862 |
| 6) Lando Norris | McLaren | +0.957 |
| 7) Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.960 |
| 8) Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | +1.476 |
| 9) Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | +2.729 |
| 10) Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | no time set in Q3 |
| Knocked out in Q2 | ||
| 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) Alex Albon | Williams | 1:20.941 |
| 16) Franco Colapinto | Alpine | 1:21.270 |
| Knocked out in Q1 | ||
| 17) Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:22.969 |
| 18) Sergio Perez | Cadillac | 1:22.605 |
| 19) Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | 1:23.244 |
| 20) Max Verstappen | Red Bull | no time set |
| 21) Carlos Sainz | Williams | no time set |
| 22) Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | no time set |
Sky Sports F1's Australian GP schedule
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Saturday March 7
9.45pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 8
12.20am: F2 Feature Race*
2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
7am: Ted's Notebook*
7.55am: Australian GP race replay*
10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky One)*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch every race of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports, starting with the Australian Grand Prix from this Sunday. Stream Sky Sports with NOW - no contract, cancel anytime
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