Max Verstappen crashed in Q1
Max Verstappen crashed in Q1

F1 Australian Grand Prix qualifying as it happened

Live coverage of final practice and qualifying at the 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

KEY MOMENTS

  • Q1 red-flagged after Max Verstappen crash
  • Russell laid a marker with his final session-topping FP3 effort
  • Mercedes is racing against time to repair Antonelli's heavily damaged car
  • Aston Martin woes continue

The 2026 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix continues on Saturday, with the first qualifying session of the year taking place.

The new campaign began on Friday with two hours of practice, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri delighting the home crowd with the fastest time of the day.

He led the Mercedes duo of Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, who remain for many on the grid as the favourites for victory at the start of the new season.

However, it wasn't a smooth Friday for Mercedes, who admitted to power unit issues during the first practice session. Ferrari and Red Bull also look like they will be in the mix with McLaren and Mercedes in the battle for pole.

Aston Martin's nightmare start to the year continued on Friday, as battery problems severely limited its running. Team boss Adrian Newey admitted on Friday morning that Aston is down to just two batteries - one for each car - and without any spares available from Honda to be shipped over.

Its participation across Saturday's action, and indeed into the race on Sunday, remains uncertain.

Saturday's action kicks off with the final hour of free practice, with a chaotic qualifying expected amid concerns about the amount of energy harvesting teams will need to be doing due to the battery demands placed on the new power units at Albert Park.

Qualifying will see a slightly tweaked format for 2026, owing to the addition of an 11th team in the form of Cadillac bringing the total number of cars on track up to 22.

As such, six drivers will now be eliminated from Q1 and six from Q2, with the 10 fastest drivers progressing to Q3 to battle for the first pole position of the new season.

2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix Saturday schedule

FP3 - 1:30-2:30 GMT
Qualifying - 5:00-6:00 GMT

07 Mar 2026
10:13
Mercedes' Australian GP speed so good Charles Leclerc thought it was a mistake

Charles Leclerc admits Mercedes' speed at the Australian Grand Prix so far has been impressive that he thought data from an FP3 run he saw was wrong!

Mercedes' Australian GP speed so good Charles Leclerc thought it was a mistake

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Australian GP
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Australian GP
© XPB Images

 

 
 
09:48
Lando Norris' damning verdict: 'F1 has gone from best to worst cars’

There has been large-scale criticism of F1's new cars on Saturday following qualifying, with Lando Norris offering one of the most damning takes. 

Read more ⬇️

Lando Norris' damning verdict: 'F1 has gone from best to worst cars’

F1 world champion Lando Norris qualified a low-key sixth
F1 world champion Lando Norris qualified a low-key sixth
09:47
Lance Stroll allowed to start Australian GP, but Aston ‘can’t risk big damage’

The FIA has granted Lance Stroll permission to start the Australian Grand Prix despite missing the 107% pace cutoff. 

Read more ⬇️

Lance Stroll allowed to start Australian GP, but Aston ‘can’t risk big damage’

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 2026 Australian GP
Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 2026 Australian GP
© XPB Images
09:10
Lewis Hamilton 'disappointed if FIA has allowed' Mercedes F1 power advantage

Lewis Hamilton has brought up the compression ratio debate after Mercedes dominated Australian Grand Prix qualifying, noting that he'll be disappointed in the FIA if that is the reason for the Silver Arrows' advantage. 

Read more ⬇️

Lewis Hamilton 'disappointed if FIA has allowed' Mercedes F1 power advantage

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2026 Australian GP
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 2026 Australian GP
© XPB Images
08:53
FIA delivers verdict on Mercedes pitlane blunder in Australia F1 qualifying

The FIA stewards have delivered their verdict on Mercedes' unsafe release of Andrea Kimi Antonelli during Q3 on Saturday at the Australian Grand Prix.

Read more ⬇️

FIA delivers verdict on Mercedes pitlane blunder in Australia F1 qualifying

Debris from Andrea Kimi Antonelli's car
Debris from Andrea Kimi Antonelli's car
© XPB Images
08:22
Max Verstappen rages at F1 rules after qualifying disaster

Max Verstappen is furious with F1's new rules following a disastrous qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen rages at F1 rules after qualifying disaster

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Australian GP
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 2026 Australian GP
© XPB Images
07:54
Wolff fires back at Mercedes ‘sandbagging’ claims after imposing pole

Mercedes was accused of sandbagging in testing, with its dominant pole in Australia strengthening these claims. 

However, Toto Wolff has explained why these comments were wide of the mark.

Wolff fires back at Mercedes ‘sandbagging’ claims after imposing pole

George Russell and Kimi Antonelli celebrate Mercedes 1-2
George Russell and Kimi Antonelli celebrate Mercedes 1-2
06:45
Russell takes dominant pole for F1 2026 opener

Mercedes’ George Russell underlined his early championship favourite tag by claiming a dominant pole position at F1’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Read our report here ⬇️

RUSSELL TAKES DOMINANT POLE FOR F1 2026 OPENER AS VERSTAPPEN CRASHES 

George Russell celebrates the eighth pole of his F1 career
George Russell celebrates the eighth pole of his F1 career
06:40
Australian Grand Prix - Qualifying Results

So, it's advantage Mercedes it seems heading into the opening race of the year.

BUT, being the 'opening race of the year' often means more variables for disaster than at any other time of the year - we'll soon find out.

Until then, check out the FULL Australian Grand Prix Qualifying Results and we'll see you here sharp for Sunday's race at 04.00 UK

Now go and get some kip!

06:37
'Simple things more challenging now" - Russell

Russell on prospects for Sunday's Grand Prix: "I think a lot of simple things from the past, like race starts, pit stops, are a hell of a lot more challenging with these new cars. I said to the guys in the garage 'let's have a clean session' because who knows what will happen tomorrow. But a really great day, we're in the best spot."

06:34
Hadjar: "I thought McLaren, Ferrari were faster"

"It was a very smooth qualifying. The run up was a bit difficult, we didn't seem to be in position to fight for top three, I thought McLaren and Ferrari were clear of myself, but we built up to it the whole session and it was a good last lap.

Can Hadjar beat the Mercedes'?: "The only thing I can do is get a better start, they are too fast at the moment. I want to keep my position, try and get my second podium.

06:32
Antonelli: "Stressful day!"

"It has been a very stressful day - in FP3 I went into the wall but the mechanics today are heroes, they put the car on track. We couldn't even set the car up, we just went out, but we managed to put it on the front row, so happy about that.

On coming back after crash: "It was not easy, I need to have a clean weekend next time because it compromises qualifying, but we have the race tomorrow to look ahead to and a good result is possible." 

06:30
Russell: "We knew there was potential in the car..."

"It was a great day, we knew there was a lot of potential in the car but until we get to the first Saturday of the season, you never know. 

"It really came alive this afternoon, especially when the track temperature cooled. Really great to have Kimi here because it has been such a hard job by the team to deliver this car, they did an amazing job in the garage today as well.

On the different style of racing: "It is not easy to drive, it's not easy for the fans to understand. However, I am excited for the race tomorrow, I think we can bring some exciting racing and also for you guys in the crowd, it's amazing so thank you for that support.

06:27

Some standout performances there.

Antonelli did a mighty job to get the gap to Russell down to less than three tenths despite starting the day in the wall and needing an entire car rebuild, before going on to endure a session that he started late, had him off track at one point and led to two pit-lane infractions. 

Hadjar joins the Italian in putting on a mighty show by the lesser experienced drivers with third on his first Red Bull showing, while fellow alumni Arvid Lindblad puts himself on the right course for points on his debut with a fine ninth on the grid.

06:23
Top 10 after Q3
  1. Russell
  2. Antonelli
  3. Hadjar
  4. Leclerc
  5. Piastri
  6. Norris
  7. Hamilton
  8. Lawson
  9. Lindblad
  10. Bortoleto
06:22
George Russell on pole for Australian GP

George Russell takes pole from Kimi Antonelli as Mercedes show their muscle with a dominant 1-2

Hadjar shines in third on a day when Verstappen knocked himself out of Q1 - the curse of the second Red Bull driver might have finally been lifted

Leclerc joins him on the second row, ahead of Piastri and Norris, with McLaren looking a little lost at the business end of qualifying

06:21

Mercedes' rivals are piling round trying to get close but they are falling well short

Hadjar comes round in an impressive third place, ahead of Leclerc, Piastri and Norris

06:20

Russell is next up and he returns to the top spot with a 1m 18.518secs lap

06:19

Antonelli opts for an early return to track as he bids to get a lap on the board this time - and he goes quickest with a 1m 18.811secs

06:16

First wave of laps complete, though only six drivers manage to complete a time

  1. Russell
  2. Norris
  3. Hadjar
  4. Leclerc
  5. Piastri
  6. Hamilton
06:15

Norris pops up into second place with his best time of the weekend so far - amazing what a bit of gaffer tape on the front wing can achieve

06:14

Russell is next through and he sets a benchmark of 1m 19.084s - slower than Q2 but still enough to see of Hadjar in second, Leclerc in third and Piastri in fourth

06:13

Antonelli is first to begin his fast lap, but spoils it with a lock-up into Turn 3 that sends him wide and across the gravel trap.

The Italian is having quite the eventful day!

06:11
Q3 resumes

Qualifying is underway again with just under ten minutes on the clock remaining

06:08

Qualifying will resume shortly as stewards confirm this new Antonelli infraction will be investigated after the session

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