Surprising qualifying results at the F1 Australian GP: McLaren dominates, Albon and Tsunoda shock the Ferraris, full report and results.
After almost 99 days since the last qualifying, the checkered flag waved for the first time to kick off the F1 Australian GP qualifying, it’s light out and away we go!
Q1
At the start of Q1, Bearman had problems with the gearbox following his abandonment of free practice 2 and 3. In the end, he had to return to the box because it was broken.
At the same time, Russell gained the first position, but suddenly, everyone started to overtake his time. Between the team, the soft was the best option for the Q1, but not for Mercedes, as they were driving with medium.
Leclerc was the fastest in the second sector, while Norris was in the first. Compared to last year, the lap times seem lower, so the pole time will be faster.
In the same line as Bearman, Verstappen had problems during the Friday sessions; nevertheless and without much of a surprise, he made the fastest sector in the first and second, though he positioned the second as the third sector was not as good.
After completing his first lap, Hamilton positioned himself sixth, behind Fernando Alonso in his first qualifying with Ferrari. The same for Sainz at Williams, he was even fourth ahead of Hamilton.
With 6 minutes remaining, a yellow flag appeared due to gravel at the exit of Turn 12, where Alonso has a moment, and a lap was deleted for Lawson. Antonelli seemed to have problems with his car, as it was lower than expected.
The New Zealander went off at turn 13 after a messy final run, with Antonelli breaking his floor at turn 6. Both drivers would be knocked out. Bortoleto impressed with P15, beating Nico Hülkenberg.
Finally eliminated: Bearman, Ocon, Lawson, Hülkenberg, and Antonelli.
Q2
During the first lap, Verstappen moved into first place, while Ferrari and Aston Martin reused tyres.
Fernando Alonso went off into the gravel at Turn 10, and it seemed there could be damage as sparks came from his car. Sainz experienced the same issue on the kerb. Doohan got removed one lap for track limits.
With 6 minutes remaining, McLaren dominated Q2 with a P1 – P2 for Piastri and Norris.
Turn 11 has been a nightmare for the drivers, as it was a problem for both Hadjar and Carlos Sainz. In the same turn, no DRS in zone 2 due to a yellow flag from a Ferrari, as Hamilton.
Near the end, there was an incident between Russell and Leclerc at turn 4, but after investigation, it was deemed nothing serious and no investigation took place.
Finally, got out of Q2: Hadjar, Doohan, Bortoleto, Alonso and Stroll.
Q3
In the final part of qualifying, all the drivers seemed to be flying, as everything was happening so quickly. The times were very tight, and the drivers had very little difference between each other.
Q3 was a fight between the papaya boys as they were alternating P1 and P2. In the first runs, track limits at turn 4 for Norris, both McLarens made a mistake—Norris for track limits and Piastri going off at turn 13.
With 6 minutes to go, all the cars went in to change tyres.
Piastri, Norris, and Verstappen set new laps, all very close. Piastri initially took the lead, 0.1 seconds ahead, but Norris took it back with a difference of just under a tenth. Verstappen placed third, and the McLarens secured a P1 and P2.
The end of qualifying was a complete surprise as Albon and Tsunoda placed ahead of the Ferraris.
The final top 10 was set: Norris on pole, followed by Piastri and Verstappen, Russell, Tsunoda, Albon, Leclerc, Hamilton, Gasly and in the end Sainz.
