Max Verstappen has his sights set on a third-straight win to open 2024, with the defending Formula One world champion claiming pole for the Australian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull superstar blitzed qualifying on Saturday as he aims to back up last year’s race victory at Albert Park, securing the 35th pole of his career. Verstappen finished in front of resurgent Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Pérez.
Sainz was forced to sit out of the Saudi Arabia race two weeks ago, replaced by British youngster Oliver Bearman, after having surgery for appendicitis. As recently as Thursday, the Spaniard was no certainty to race in Melbourne but Sainz has made a seamless transition back into his Ferrari, despite admitting he was still dealing with pain.
Australia’s rising star Oscar Piastri will start Sunday’s race from sixth after an impressive qualifying session for McLaren. Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris left it late to record his best time, allowing him to surge up to fourth fastest.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had his worst qualifying session in Melbourne since 2010, placing 11th. In his final Australian GP before his move to Ferrari next year, the Mercedes legend was eliminated at the end of Q2 in dramatic fashion.
Australian Daniel Ricciardo was eliminated in Q1 for the first time at Albert Park after his fastest lap was deleted by stewards. Ricciardo surged into the top-10 near the end of the session and seemed certain to continue his impressive record of never qualifying lower than 15th in Melbourne.
But the 34-year-old was deemed to have exceeded track limits and was pushed back to start from 18th place in his first GP on home soil since 2022.
Alex Albon qualified 12th, repaying some of the faith shown from Williams after the British-born Thai driver sat in teammate Logan Sargeant’s car. Albon’s vehicle suffered extensive damage after he crashed into a wall during practice on Friday, with US driver Sargeant stepping aside for the rest of the weekend.
