MELBOURNE, Australia — Dutchman Max Verstappen claimed his first Australian Grand Prix pole and the 22nd career one when he proved a class above during Saturday qualifying at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.
The two-time and reigning Formula 1 world champion turned a best lap of one minute and 17.32 seconds to land the top spot ahead of Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who ran second and third, respectively.
“The last run was very good,” Verstappen said. “The whole weekend has been very tough to get the tires in the right window to push straight away, but it all worked out in Q3. Very happy to be in pole position. Tomorrow we will have a good race car and it will be an interesting race.”
Fernando Alonso will start fourth for Aston Martin, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz fifth on the grid.
Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, will start in the last row after beaching his car in a gravel trap during the first qualifying session.