Australian GP qualifying: George Russell claims pole as Kimi Antonelli seals dominant Mercedes one-two after Max Verstappen crashes out

George Russell claimed a dominant pole position for Mercedes at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix as his team-mate Kimi Antonelli completed a front-row lockout for the Silver Arrows.

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 the Brit finished almost three tenths clear of Antonelli, with Isack Hadjar a further half-second back in third in an impressive Red Bull debut.

The Italian teenager's participation in the session had been in major doubt after his huge crash in final practice, but Mercedes repaired the car just in time for him to get on track in the closing stages of Q1.

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Antonelli avoided a grid penalty but Mercedes were fined €7,500 (£6,500) for releasing their car in an unsafe conditions during Q3.

The mechanics appeared to forget to remove cooling devices from his car, which then fell off on track and caused a red flag as McLaren's Lando Norris struck one.

Russell said: "It was a great day. We knew there was a lot of potential in the car, but until we get to this first Saturday of the season, you never know, but it really came alive this afternoon.

"As the track temperature cooled, we tend to favour those conditions. Also, really happy to have Kimi here because it has been such a hard job from the team to deliver this car. They did an amazing job in the garage as well.

"The car is just mighty. It feels more like the Mercedes of the good, old days. I was quite relieved when I drove it for the first time."

Mercedes' cause in repairing Antonelli's car after the shunt in practice was aided by Q1 being delayed by Max Verstappen triggering a red flag as he crashed out of the first part of qualifying, leaving the four-time world champion 20th on the grid.

Verstappen later confirmed that he had been cleared to race on Sunday after undergoing X-rays of his wrists, which he hurt during the crash.

"(I'm) all good," he said. "I just had to get some X-rays done to see if my hands were ok, but nothing was broken."

There was at least consolation for Red Bull as Hadjar edged out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc for fourth, while Lewis Hamilton had to settle for seventh as the impressive one-lap pace the Italian squad had shown earlier in the weekend slipped away when it mattered most.

The Ferrari's were split by McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Norris, with the reigning world champion behind his team-mate after struggling with deployment issues during the session.

Racing Bulls were the best of the rest behind the 'big four' teams, with Liam Lawson and British rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad claiming eighth and ninth ahead of Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto, who was unable to participate in Q3 after breaking down on the way into the pit lane at the end of Q2.

There was some minor respite for Aston Martin amid their nightmare start to the season, with Fernando Alonso at least finishing in 17th ahead of both of the cars of newcomers Cadillac.

Alonso's team-mate Lance Stroll was unable to participate due to an issue with the team's hugely troublesome Honda power units, while Williams's Carlos Sainz also failed to feature after suffering a technical problem in final practice.

Hulkenberg taking 11th behind his team-mate Bortoleto suggests Audi, along with Racing Bulls, are starting the season at the front of the midfield, which is an impressive effort after the German brand took over what was formerly the Sauber team over the winter and manufactured their own engine.

Mercedes, Russell justify pre-season favourites tag

Formula 1's extended pre-season following a major regulation change had seen the sport's big four teams each talk up the pace of their expected rivals at the front, but there always remained a consensus in the paddock that Mercedes would have the car to beat.

Much of the confidence in Mercedes was founded in the fact they had won eight successive constructors' titles the last time F1 introduced new engines in 2014, but strong showings from Ferrari and Red Bull in testing had created some doubt.

That was heightened when Ferrari and Red Bull set the pace in Friday's first practice in Melbourne, but Mercedes provided an ominous warning with their longer-run pace in the second session.

And then, in the closing stages of Saturday's final practice, Mercedes finally showed their hand when Russell romped clear, although the display of strength was somewhat overshadowed by Antonelli crashing heavily into the barrier as he attempted to follow his team-mate's lead.

An extremely messy day for Antonelli was, in reality, the only reason a front-row lockout was ever in any doubt, with the 19-year-old also running into the gravel in qualifying and the team facing two separate investigations for pit-lane gaffes in their understandably frantic state.

While it appears clear that Mercedes have a pace advantage at Albert Park, a first race for the new power units and chassis of the 2026 cars will create new challenges for all 11 teams.

Russell spoke of the perils of pit stops, while the significantly hotter conditions forecast for Sunday are also likely to push the new power units to the limit, with reliability always a major question mark in the early stages of a new rules set.

Sky Sports F1's Australian GP schedule

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

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Australian GP qualifying: George Russell claims pole as Kimi Antonelli seals dominant Mercedes one-two after Max Verstappen crashes out