All articles tagged with #australian grand prix 2026
Mercedes’ George Russell secured pole for the 58-lap Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, while home favourite Oscar Piastri spun on the reconnaissance lap and is out of the race; McLaren face early heartbreak as the season opener unfolds amid new F1 regulations, with the UK start time at 04:00 GMT.
George Russell claimed pole position in Melbourne as Mercedes delivered a dominant qualifying performance, locking out the front row with Kimi Antonelli beside him. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar will start third, with Charles Leclerc fourth and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri fifth and Lando Norris sixth completing the top six. Lewis Hamilton heads the next tier in seventh, joined by Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad in the top 10, while Nico Hulkenberg and Oliver Bearman sit on row six. Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto fill the next positions, with Fernando Alonso P17, Sergio Perez P18, Valtteri Bottas P19, and Max Verstappen starting P20 after a Q1 crash; Lance Stroll and Carlos Sainz start from the back of the grid.