Mercedes established themselves as pre-season favorites by dominating qualifying for Formula 1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
George Russell faced off against Kimi Antonelli as the Silver Arrows flexed their muscles around Albert Park on Saturday afternoon in the first qualifying session under Formula 1’s new regulations.
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Russell’s time of 1:18.518 seconds was 0.293 seconds ahead of teammate Antonelli, who was recovering from a serious crash in final practice and was eliminated on the first lap of the pole-sitter penalty shootout.
Russell’s advantage over the fastest non-Mercedes driver, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, was 0.785 seconds slower than the Briton.
“We knew the car had a lot of potential, but you don’t know until the first Saturday,” Russell said.
Hajar, Ferrari and McLaren finished less than two-tenths of a second behind the leading Mercedes in a tight race for honors.
Isaac Hajjar, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. Rudy Carresevoli – Getty Images
Charles Leclerc was fourth, ahead of local hero Oscar Piastri, with defending champion Lando Norris sixth and Lewis Hamilton seventh.
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The Bulls emerged as a strong midfield unit with Liam Lawson in eighth and the team’s only rookie, Arvid Lindblad, in ninth.
Verstappen encounters early drama
Max Verstappen was the one absent from the pole position battle.
Verstappen will start his 2026 season as low as 20th after a rare early exit in qualifying.
Max Verstappen. Getty Images – Getty Images
Verstappen was flying on his first lap in Q1 when the rear of his Red Bull-Ford powered RB22 locked up on the approach to Turn 1, causing the four-time world champion to spin on the gravel and into the barrier.
Verstappen’s hand underwent precautionary X-rays but was not injured.
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“I just pressed the pedal and the whole rear axle completely locked up, which is very strange, especially for these Formula One cars,” Verstappen said. “I mean, I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life.”
Verstappen has been critical of the new specification of the car, which has forced drivers to back off before the end of some straights due to depleted batteries.
“I mean, I’m definitely not going to have fun in these cars,” Verstappen said. “I mean, you can make the decision, but I think if you look at what’s going on on the ship, you understand, right?
“The formula is incorrect and it’s a little difficult to change, but I think we need to change.”
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Bittersweet Audi makes top 10 debut
Audi secured a top-10 finish on its full debut as a manufacturer team – albeit a bit bittersweet.
While not a start-up, considering it has gradually taken over Sauber over the past few years, this is Audi’s first foray into Formula 1 with its own power unit.
Gabriel Bortoleto of the Audi F1 Team. Paul Crocker – Getty Images
The Brands entered the third quarter with help from sophomore Gabriel Bortoleto, who had been in a tight midfield battle throughout practice.
However, Bortoletto lost power when pitting late in Q2, meaning he couldn’t actually take part in Q3 and would therefore start in tenth.
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Veteran Nico Hulkenberg finished 11th in his Audi R26 sister car, narrowly beating Haas’s Oliver Bearman and Esteban Ocon.
Alpine spent most of the weekend at the tail end of midfield and occupied that position, with Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto in No. 14 and No. 16 respectively, double-teaming Williams’ Alex Albon.
Cadillac is slowest but capable
Cadillac was the slowest team in qualifying – a result the team believed in on its debut – but did not embarrass itself in the 18-minute first round.
Sergio Perez led Valtteri Bottas in 18th, with Bottas in 19th, with the Mexican’s time 3.1 seconds slower than Russell’s best time in the first quarter.
Sergio Perez. SOPA Photos – Getty Images
Bottas was eight-tenths off the pace, but given Cadillac’s nature as a start-up and some hiccups in practice, it was a solid performance.
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Cadillac’s final ranking was wiped out by Verstappen’s early exit, while Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll failed to qualify in qualifying due to technical issues.
Fernando Alonso’s sister Aston Martin at least got on track in qualifying, but the Spaniard only finished 17th, 2.4 seconds behind.
