Verstappen managed to secure pole position at the Australian Grand Prix despite not leading any session throughout the weekend’s practice sessions. Despite the initial setbacks, he gradually improved his performance during the qualifying rounds, eventually clinching the top spot on the starting grid with a significant lead over his competitors.
Sainz, who had shown strong pace earlier in the day, especially by topping the timesheets in both Q1 and Q2, seemed poised to challenge for pole position. However, his efforts fell short in the showdown against Verstappen.
Despite returning to the track after missing the last race due to appendicitis, Sainz’s performance was commendable, securing the second position on the grid.
Perez, on the other hand, managed to secure the third spot, narrowly edging out Norris, his McLaren teammate, who settled for fourth place. This internal competition within the McLaren team showcased their competitive edge, with both drivers vying for position on the starting grid.
Leclerc, after a slight mishap during his final lap, settled for the fifth position. His streak of consecutive front-row starts came to an end, but he still managed to secure a respectable starting position for the race.
Russell, the sole Mercedes driver in the top 10, secured the seventh spot, ahead of Tsunoda, Stroll, and Alonso, who rounded off the top 10.
However, the qualifying session was not without its disappointments. Hamilton, the reigning world champion, faced a setback as he failed to make it to Q3, finishing in the 13th position among all.
Albon, who had to drive Sargeant’s car due to a crash in FP1, managed to secure the 12th spot. Meanwhile, Ricciardo’s qualifying time was deleted due to a track limits violation, relegating him to the 18th position on the grid.
Magnussen, benefiting from Ricciardo’s penalty, moved up to the 14th position. Hulkenberg faced difficulties throughout the session and finished in the 16th position, with Gasly just behind him.
Zhou encountered trouble with his front wing, preventing him from advancing from Q1, ultimately placing him at the bottom of the grid.
The qualifying session set the stage for an exciting race day, with Verstappen leading the pack and a mix of experienced drivers and rising talents behind him, ready to challenge for positions and points.
Also read: Did a Covert Contract Enable Max Verstappen’s Possible Exit from Red Bull F1?
