Australian GP qualifying: Max Verstappen beats Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton for pole

Max Verstappen takes his first pole place within the Australian GP: his Crimson Bull teammate Sergio Perez crashes in Q1; Mercedes’ George Russell second forward of team-mate Lewis Hamilton; watch the Australian GP reside Sunday at 6am on Sky Sports activities F1, with a ramp-up from 4.30am

Max Verstappen held off a shock cost from Mercedes in Australian Grand Prix qualifying to beat George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to pole place.

The reigning world champion turned an awesome favourite for pole when his Crimson Bull team-mate Sergio Perez crashed out in Q1, however within the chilly and windy situations at Albert Park, Mercedes posed an sudden problem.

Hamilton was solely 9 thousandths of a second behind Verstappen after the primary set of races in Q3, however the Dutchman was in a position to take a transparent benefit by clocking a 1:16.732 within the dying moments.

It was Russell who managed to grab a spot within the entrance row, edging out Hamilton by half a tenth and outqualifying his seven-time world champion teammate for the third time in as many races this season.

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George Russell on Lewis Hamilton reacts by securing second and third locations on the grid for the Australian GP.

Fernando Alonso, who completed on the rostrum behind Crimson Bull doubles in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, may solely end fourth for Aston Martin, whereas team-mate Lance Stroll completed sixth.

Carlos Sainz cut up fifth-placed Aston Martins, incomes a uncommon qualifying conquer Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who completed seventh.

Alexander Albon produced a massively spectacular efficiency to take eighth as a Williams driver reached Q3 for the primary time this season, ending forward of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg, who continued his sturdy begin the nation.

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Sergio Perez flashes the crimson flag in qualifying as he fails his Crimson Bull on the Australian GP.

Australian GP qualifying outcome
1) Max Verstappen, Crimson Bull
2) George Russell, Mercedes
3) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes
4) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
5) Carlos Sainz, Ferrari
6) Lance Stroll, Aston Martin
7) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
8) Alexander Albon, Williams
9) Pierre Gasly, Alpine
10) Nico Hulkenberg, Haas

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