F1 Qualifying Results: Max Verstappen Shocker In Australia As Mercedes Dominates Melbourne

The first Qualifying session of the 2026 F1 season has just wrapped up in Melbourne ahead of Sunday's Australian Grand Prix. There was a shocker early on when a software failure led to Red Bull's Max Verstappen crashing out before completing a single lap.

As expected, Mercedes dominated the session, with George Russell landing pole position nearly three-tenths ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Red Bull's new signee, Isack Hadjar, impressed everyone by earning a third-place start. 

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and McLaren's Oscar Piastri rounded out the top five in what proved a tough session for reigning Drivers' Champion Lando Norris, who will line up on the grid in sixth place. Lewis Hamilton starts sixth, while Racing Bulls' Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad follow before Gabriel Bortoleto rounds out the top 10. 

Other big talking points include a disappointing start to the season from Cadillac and the fact that Williams' Carlos Sainz and Aston Martin's Lance Stroll were unable to take to the track.

Here's a full breakdown of the qualifying results for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix:

1. George Russell - 1:18.518
2. Kimi Antonelli - 1:18.811
3. Isack Hadjar - 1:19.303
4. Charles Leclerc - 1:19.327
5. Oscar Piastri - 1:19.380
6. Lando Norris - 1:19.475
7. Lewis Hamilton - 1:19.478
8. Liam Lawson - 1:19.994
9. Arvid Lindblad - 1:21.247
10. Gabriel Bortoleto - 1:20.221
11. Nico Hulkenberg - 1:20.303
12. Oliver Bearman - 1:20.311
13. Esteban Ocon - 1:20.491
14. Pierre Gasly - 1:20.501
15. Alexander Albon - 1:20.941
16. Franco Colapinto - 1:21.270
17. Fernando Alonso - 1:21.969
18. Sergio Perez - 1:22.605
19. Valtteri Bottas - 1:23.244
20. Max Verstappen - No Time Set
21. Carlos Sainz - No Time Set
22. Lance Stroll - No Time Set

"It was a great day," Russell told F1.com of his strong start to the season. "We knew there was a lot of potential in the car, but until you get to this first Saturday of the season you never know. It really came alive this afternoon, especially when the track temp cooled – we know we sort of tend to favour those conditions."

"I’m also really happy to have Kimi here next to me as well because it’s been such a hard job from all the team to deliver this car," he continued, "and they did an amazing job in the garage as well today, so all in all a really good day."

Make sure you check back here tomorrow for live coverage of the Australian Grand Prix.