Mercedes F1’s George Russell and Kimi Antonelli impressed in a dominant Qualifying session at the 2026 F1 Australian GP, full report and results below.
The 2026 F1 season is well underway, with the first day of on-track action kicking off yesterday. Charles Leclerc set the pace with a 1:20.267 in FP1, while Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen completed the top three. Despite several drivers encountering power and engine issues, rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed on his first official day as an F1 driver, finishing 5th and 8th in FP1 and FP2 respectively. However, it was home hero Oscar Piastri who topped the timings in the second practice session with a 1:19.729, while reigning World Champion Lando Norris endured a challenging day.
Ahead of Qualifying, the final practice session of the weekend saw George Russell topping the timings in FP3 with a 1:19.053. With teams using the session to fine-tune their setups ahead of the first Qualifying session of the 2026 season, all eyes turn to who will claim the first pole position of the year.
Time to go Qualifying at Albert Park!
It was time to go Qualifying for the first time in 2026! After a crashing in FP3, Mercedes mechanics were still working busily to fix Kimi Antonelli’s car. Since FP3, a light breeze around Albert Park cooled down track conditions significantly. As 18 minutes ticked down, drivers headed out on track for their first laps of the session. However, all eyes were on Alex Albon, who was the first driver to set off on a representative push-lap.
The Thai driver set a benchmark time of 1:21.802 for the rest of the field to chase. Home hero Oscar Piastri was lighting up the timings, setting a purple second sector before Hamilton snatched it. The Australian’s first effort was enough to top the timings with a 1:20.552, while Hamilton trailed closely behind with a 1:20.852.
After a strong showing in FP3, Russell’s first effort saw the Briton set a purple first and final sector, catapulting to the top with a 1:19.840 — six tenths clear of the field. Meanwhile, Isack Hadjar was next across the line to slot himself into 2nd with a 1:20.445. Lindblad impressed on his first Qualifying laps as a F1 driver, going 2nd with a 1:20.409
Red flag for Verstappen in the barriers in 2026 Australian GP Qualifying
The four-time World Champion found the barriers at Turn 1 after losing the rear of his car, triggering the first red flag of the session. As Mercedes continued to work on Antonelli’s car, the stoppage played in favour of the Brackley-based team. The 19 year-old soon joined the queue at the end of the pit lane. As it stood, Russell, Leclerc, Piastri, Lindblad and Hamilton completed the top five.
With 7 minutes left on the clock, Antonelli, Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll were left to set a representative lap time. Lindblad was the first to set off on his next attempt but wasn’t able to improve, staying in 4th. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson jumped up into the top ten, going to 9th with a 1:20.599. Hamilton, on a purple first sector, found significant improvement on his next lap, going to the top with a 1:19.811.
On his first lap, Antonelli’s first effort was enough to slot the Italian into 2nd with a 1:20.120. Flying through the sectors, Russell managed to improve once again and reclaimed his spot at the top. With less than a minute left, Hadjar’s final lap was enough for 5th.
Both Alpines were the final cars on push-laps. Franco Colapinto’s final lap was enough to hurt Aston Martin’s dreams of progressing to the next part of Qualifying, as the Argentinian found his way to 15th. Unfortunately on their first F1 weekend, both Cadillac’s weren’t able to progress through to Q2.
Out in Q1: Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Verstappen, Sainz and Stroll
Up next, Q2
Drivers headed back out on track once again as the second part of Qualifying got underway at the 2026 F1 Australian GP. First on a lap was Leclerc. With a purple middle sector, the Ferrari driver set a benchmark of 1:20.088. Up next, Antonelli was finding his rhythm, crossing the line with a 1:19.604. The Silver-arrows looked strong as Russell reclaimed his position at the top with a 1:18.934 — a significant gap between himself and second once again.
For Piastri, a first effort in Q2 was enough for the Australian to slot into 2nd. As 7 minutes remained, Russell, Piastri, Antonelli, Hadjar and Norris completed the top five. The track soon died down as drivers and teams prepared for the final runs of Q2. From the next runs, Hülkenberg was next to complete a lap that was enough to take him to 9th. After abandoning his first lap, Hamilton jumped to 6th with a 1:19.582.
Russell was in a league of his own, as the Briton’s time remained unbeatable for most of the session. Although Antonelli managed to improve to 2nd, five tenths separated the two teammates. On a personal best lap, Leclerc managed to improve to 2nd, splitting the two Mercedes. Bortoleto’s last lap saw the Brazilian sneak into the top ten, relegating Hülkenberg into the elimination zone.
Out in Q2: Hülkenberg, Bearman, Ocon, Gasly, Albon, Colapinto
It’s Q3 time!
Ahead of the final part of Qualifying at the F1 Australian GP, Bortoleto was seen jumping out of his car. The Brazilian stopped at pit entry and will start tomorrow’s race in 10th. As for Lindblad, the 18 year-old made it through to the final part of Qualifying on debut.
Second red flag for debris on track in 2026 F1 Australian GP Qualifying
Mercedes and Antonelli were noted by stewards for an unsafe release, as the 19 year-old left the pits with the fans left on his car. It soon fell off at the exit of Turn 2 before Norris ran over it. When the Briton returned to the pits, McLaren mechanics were seen extensively assessing the damage on the front-wing of the reigning World Champion’s car.
The final shootout for pole
With 9 minutes left on the clock and a resumption time, drivers were raring to get going as they queued at the end of the pit lane. Leading the drivers out was Antonelli but soon destroyed his lap after running through the gravel traps at Turn 3. Having showcased a dominant performance thus far, all Russell needed to repeat a pole-worthy lap.
Meanwhile, Hadjar was next across the line and slotted behind Russell in 2nd with a 1:19.625. Norris soon split the two drivers, replacing Hadjar in 2nd with a 1:19.605. However, as it stood, Russell still had an advantageous five tenth advantage over the field. With the first laps of Q3 completed, drivers returned to the pit lane as they prepared for the final runs of the session.
Lighting up the timings, the Mercedes duo were setting purple sectors. Antonelli was first across the line as the Italian beat Russell to the top with a 1:18.811. However, all eyes were on the Briton as he completed his final lap. Once again, Russell managed to find improvement and recorded a 1:18.518. Momentarily, Piastri jumped into the top three, before he was replaced by Leclerc. However, it’s Hadjar who managed to slot himself into 3rd, an impressive first Qualifying with Red Bull.
But further down the field, Norris, Hamilton and Lindblad weren’t able to improve on their final laps. For the first race of the season, the Silver arrows will lock-out the front row on Sunday.
