But that’s about all that’s required from me today, I reckon,Be sure to join me tomorrow for all the action from the F1 Australian Grand Prix race in Melbourne,Here is Giles Richards’ qualifying report,Cheers!Now that's how you finish the first quali in 2026 🙂‍↕️#AusGP #F1 pic,twitter.

com/yV1IZrDRVYSo little from the season’s first qualifying session to downplay the thoughts that the season’s is Mercedes’ for the taking.But Russell is trying somewhat to keep a lid on things.double quotation mark“I think a lot of the simple things like race starts, pit stops are a hell of a lot more challenging for these new cars.”“So, who knows what will happen tomorrow.We will work hard tonight.

”Antonelli – who remains under investigation and thus may lose his second-placed qualifying slot – is understandably relieved to go second.double quotation mark“It has been a very, very stressful day.The mechanics today were the heroes.We couldn’t even set-up the car, we just went out.“It was not easy, I needed to dig deep but I need a clean weekend next time as it did definitely compromise qualifying.

”As you’d expect, Russell cuts a very positive figure after setting the fastest time of qualifying,double quotation mark“A great day,We knew there was a lot of potential in the car,Really happy to have Kimi here next to me as well, as the team did an amazing job in the garage today,“I’m excited for the race tomorrow, I think we can bring some quite exciting racing.

”George Russell secures POLE for the Australian Grand Prix, in a Mercedes 1-2! 👏Here's the full classification from Quali 👇#F1 #AusGP pic,twitter,com/LY16u511AjIt’s an eighth career pole for Russell, with the pre-season favourite delivering on the hype in spades,His teammate has reiterated the buzz surrounding Mercedes, with Antonelli coming through in second – albeit he’s likely to faith the wrath of the stewards after a few issues today,GEORGE RUSSELL IS ON POLE POSITION IN AUSTRALIA! 🥇WHAT.

A,LAP! 👏#F1 #AusGP pic,twitter,com/RCXFOluHJNHadjar will start on the second row in his Red Bull after setting the third-fastest time, with the Ferrari of Leclerc keeping him company,It’ll be an all-papaya third row of Piastri and Norris, with Hamilton seventh ahead of the Racing Bulls of Lawson and Lindblad.

Bortoleto failed to get into the pits after going tenth fastest in Q2 and didn’t partake in Q3.Everyone’s completing their flying laps now, with Hadjar completing an excellent first qualifying session with Red Bull by going third!Leclerc has set the fourth fastest time, followed by the Maclarens of Piastri and Norris – the first time the world champion has ever been out-qualified by a teammate in Melbourne – with Hamitlon, Lawson and Lindblad rounding out the nine.CHEQUERED FLAG ON Q3 🏁👇Russell 📸AntonelliHadjarLeclercPiastriNorrisHamiltonLindbladLawsonBortoleto#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/oqO218VRRkAntonelli goes pole! He flies through with a 1:18.

811, 0.273 seconds faster than his teammate Russell.How does Russell respond? He goes 1:18.518 and back in pole!Antonelli crosses the line and begins his push lap.The Racing Bulls are now out and looking to set their time, too.

Russell remains on pole, followed by Norris and Hadjar.The Racing Bulls are still yet to step a proper lap, as is Antonelli.Russell comes through in a 1:19.084.Hadjar comes in 0.

541 seconds behind him in second, only for Norris to fly through and go three tenths of a second faster,Leclerc has the fourth-fastest time, Piastri the fifth, and Hamilton the sixth,Antonelli locks up heading into turn three and goes off the track briefly,Scratch that attempt at a flying lap,For a special talent, he’s not having a very special day.

G3 resumes.This time for realsies.pic.twitter.com/k1Nhrqpt0pWord from the FIA is that we’ll resume Q3 at 5:10 local time.

Or about 120 seconds after I hit send on this post,Huh, Antonelli’s afternoon continues to be a weird one, sent out with cooling fans still attached to his car and one falling off and nestling on the track,It’s now a former cooling fan, however, after Norris ran over it and exploded it,“Check, I hit a lot of debris; front left,”He’s probably going to be in a bit of strife when the stewards take a proper look at that, and we’ve got red flags here already.

Piastri was the only one to record a time before everyone was sent back in.🔴 RED FLAG 🔴Lando Norris collides with a cooling device on the track, which seemingly fell from Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes There's debris to be cleared up at Turn 2#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/99zKjfi3ZhAudi have issued an update to formula1.com on Bortoleto’s issues.

“Gabriel encountered a technical issue during his in-lap at the end of Q2.As a result, he will not be able to take part in Q3.The team is investigating the issue.”Our final nine left standing for Q3: Russell (Mercedes), Leclerc (Ferrari), Antonelli (Mercedes), Piastri (Maclaren), Norris (Maclaren), Hamilton (Ferrari), Lindblad (Racing Bulls), Lawson (Racing Bulls), and Hadjar (Red Bull).The top ten nine shootout to conclude qualifying here in Melbourne is underway!Confirmation that Bortoleto because was not able to make it across the white line that would signify he had entered the pits themselves, the Brazilian will take no further part of qualifying.

Thus, we are down to nine for the Q3 shootout,Bortoleto’s issues almost led to disaster at the end of Q2, holding up traffic coming right out of the blind corner heading into pit lane – Lindblad having to react rapidly to avoid going up the back of Racing Bulls teammate Lawson,The stewards, meanwhile, have indicated that the start of Q3 will be delayed as Bortoleto’s stricken Audi is dealt with,Russell’s 1:18,934 concludes Q2 as its fastest time.

Down the back, it’s Hulkenberg (Audi), Bearman (Haas), Ocon (Haas), Gasly (Alpine), Albon (Williams), and Colapinto (Alpine) that will drop out,ELIMINATED IN Q2 ❌HulkenbergBearmanOconGaslyAlbonColapinto#F1 #AusGP pic,twitter,com/53mFvz0dXvHold on, the Audi of Bortoleto has stopped in pit lane with its hazards on,This could throw a spanner in the works.

Just quietly, Lindblad has set the seventh-fastest time in Q2 in his Racing Bulls car and looks well-placed to advance through to Q3,A heck of an effort from the rookie driver,Hulkenberg comes through with a 1:20,303, which is good enough to get him up into the top ten,Hamilton comes through soon soon after recording a lap that moves him up into sixth.

It’s now Bortoleto, Ocon, Gasly, Bearmna, Albon, and Colapinto in the bottom five.Mercedes showing what they can do with seven minutes left on the Q2 clock! 👀P1 - Russell ➡️ 1:18.934 P2 - Antonelli ➡️ +0.670#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.

com/ryKkSXKh0FHalfway through Q2 and Russell’s flying 1:18.934 remains the fastest time logged.he knows they have a rocketship pic.twitter.com/YnJQChIN8EGasly, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Albon, and Hamilton are currently sitting in the elimination zone – albeit the Ferrari driver is yet to set a representative lap time.

Antonelli comes through and sets a new fastest lap with a 1:19.604, only to be relegated back to second when his Mercedes teammate comes through with a 1:18.934 – the fastest lap anyone has set so far this weekend.Norris comes through for his flying lap soon after, but comes in 0.948 seconds behind the bookies favourite for this year’s title.

On his new softs, the Ferrari of Leclerc has set the fastest time in the early stages of Q2, going around in 1:20,088,Cadillac knew that both cars dropping out in Q1 was always likely and that has come to pass on this Saturday afternoon,Both Audis, however, have made it through, and we’ll await to see how the grid’s other new team goes in this first qualifying of the season,The 16 cars left standing are back out there once more for another 15 minutes, sans the eliminated Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Verstappen, Sainz, and StrollAfter running on mediums in Q1, the Ferraris have emerged on softs for this session, so keen to see just how much added pace they can find.

A pretty simple message from Antonelli to his garage after they were able to repair his car in time to set a Q1 time: “Thank you guys, you are the best.”If you’re following along with the Women’s Asian Cup, which is also taking place in Australia across the weekend, Taiwan has just taken the lead against Vietnam; Su Yu-hsuan heading home from close-range had a deft chip rebound off the crossbar.In addition to bringing you live coverage of tommorow’s race, I’ll also be on deck for The Guardian’s live coverage of the Matildas big clash with South Korea, so be sure to join me for that.Colapinto survives with his final lap! Knocking Alonso into the elimination spots with one, last final lap.So, the three cars eliminated after Q1 are Alonso (Aston Martin), Perez (Cadillac), Bottas (Cadillac), Verstappen (Red Bull, crashed out), Sainz (Williams, no time), and Stroll (Aston Martin, no time)ELIMINATED IN Q1 ❌AlonsoPerezBottasVerstappen SainzStroll#F1 #AusGP pic.

twitter,com/0tcTNhlpcsOne minute of Q1 remains and Russell has the fastest time with 1,19,507,Colapinto, Perez, and Bottas are starting down elimination with the three slowest times, while Verstappen has crashed out and Sainz and Stroll haven’t set times.

Cheers from the fans as Piastri sets the fastest time of Q1, only for them to be dulled almost immediately when Russell crosses the line with a time 0.157 seconds quicker.As it stands, the Chaldaics of Bottas and Perez are set to join Verstappen in dropping out after Q1, as is Alpine’s Colapinto and Sainz and Stroll – the latter two have still yet to emerge from the garage.Alonso, despite Aston Martin’s struggles, is currently sitting in the final spot for Q2.Remarkable