Max Verstappen kept his perfect streak of pole positions alive this season after notching the top spot ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.
The Oracle Red Bull Racing driver had a fastest time of 1:15.915 seconds around the 3.280-mile road course in Q3 to lock down pole ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, who returned to racing after missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to appendicitis surgery.Â
Behind the front two, Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez and McLaren’s Lando Norris make up row two. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc starts fifth after pacing the field in practice on Friday.
McLaren’s second entry and Australian, Oscar Piastri, qualified sixth. Mercedes’ lone driver to qualify in the top 10 was George Russell in seventh place.
It was a strong effort for RB Formula One Team’s Yuki Tsunoda, who starts eighth. Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso make up the remaining top 10.
Seven-time F-1 champion Lewis Hamilton was knocked out of qualifying in Q2, pinning him back in 11th on the grid.Â
Haas F-1’s Kevin Magnussen starts 14th for the American team with teammate Nico Hulkenberg starting 16th.Â