F1 GP Australia, Qualifying: pole for Hamilton, on the front row with Raikkonen

Lewis Hamilton makes it seven at Albert Park, once again taking pole position for the Australian GP. The Mercedes driver set a new track record, 1:21.164, in a Q3 also characterized by the exit of Valtteri Bottas, who ended up on the wall in the first minutes dedicated to the fight for pole. With one Mercedes less, the two Ferraris monopolize the front rows together with the Briton, with Raikkonen second ahead of Vettel. Fourth time for Verstappen, followed by Ricciardo, who we remember will however have to serve three positions on the grid, and will thus start seventh. Magnussen, Grosjean, Hulkenberg, Sainz and Bottas complete the first five rows of the Australian GP, ​​where the first four drivers are within just 7 tenths of a second. There will be fun tomorrow!

News – Q1 – Hulkenberg, Grosjean, Leclerc and Ericsson are the first to leave the pits. Meanwhile, the rain has abandoned Albert Park, and qualifying will be totally dry. All riders choose the ultrasoft compound for this first outing. The first times are for Sainz and Raikkonen, with the fastest Finn in 1:23.616, followed by Vettel. Then Hamilton fits in between the two Reds. Kimi drops to 1:23.096, followed by Ricciardo, Verstappen, Bottas, Vettel, Alonso, Sainz, Hulkenberg and Grosjean. Hamilton finishes 167 thousandths from the top, Ericsson flies to 12th place. With a time of 1:22.824, the Briton's Mercedes takes the lead. Q1 ends with Hamilton ahead of Raikkonen, Vettel, Verstappen, Ricciardo, Sainz, Alonso, Grosjean, Bottas and Hulkenberg. Hartley, Ericsson, Leclerc, Sirotkin and Gasly remain excluded.

Q2 – At the restart, the two Red Bulls are the only ones on red tyre: they will thus attempt to make the Q2 cut with this compound, in order to then be able to bring it onto the starting grid on Sunday morning. Verstappen is the first to leave the pits and stop the clock, at 1:22.830. Vettel brings Ricciardo behind him, fourth. Then comes Hamilton, who stops the clock at 1:22.051, a new track record. Short break in the pits and then everyone back in with a new set of ultrasofts. Vettel sets the new record, taking the lead in 1:21.944. Sainz seventh, sends Alonso "home". The checkered flag also leaves Vandoorne, Perez, Stroll and Ocon out of Q3.

Q3 – Clouds approaching. Hamilton is the first to take to the track, but a few minutes later the red flag waves! Bottas' Mercedes ended up on the wall. Countdown frozen and everyone in the pits, waiting for the track to clear. At the restart, the first timers saw Hamilton in the lead with a time of 1:22.051, Verstappen followed him, but was then overtaken by Vettel. Raikkonen and Ricciardo follow. Short break in the pits and then everyone back in for the final rush, including the drivers with only one shot in the barrel. Vettel is saved for last. Sixth time for Magnussen, ahead of Grosjean, Hulkenberg and Sainz. Fourth time for Ricciardo, behind Verstappen, while Hamilton took pole in 1:21.164. Raikkonen takes second place, with Vettel behind him. The checkered flag gives Mercedes the first pole of the year, ahead of the two Reds.

F1 GP Australia – Qualifying times and results

1 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1m21.164s –
2 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1m21.828s 0.664s
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1m21.838s 0.674s
4 Max Verstappen Red Bull/Renault 1m21.879s 0.715s
5 Kevin Magnussen Haas/Ferrari 1m23.187s 2.023s
6 Romain Grosjean Haas/Ferrari 1m23.339s 2.175s
7 Nico Hulkenberg Renault 1m23.532s 2.368s
8 Daniel Ricciardo Red Bull/Renault 1m22.152s 0.988s
9 Carlos Sainz Renault 1m23.577s 2.413s
10 Valtteri Bottas Mercedes – –
11 Fernando Alonso McLaren/Renault 1m23.692s –
12 Stoffel Vandoorne McLaren/Renault 1m23.853s –
13 Sergio Perez Force India/Mercedes 1m24.005s –
14 Lance Stroll Williams/Mercedes 1m24.230s –
15 Esteban Ocon Force India/Mercedes 1m24.786s –
16 Brendon Hartley Toro Rosso/Honda 1m24.532s –
17 Marcus Ericsson Sauber/Ferrari 1m24.556s –
18 Charles Leclerc Sauber/Ferrari 1m24.636s –
19 Sergey Sirotkin Williams/Mercedes 1m24.922s –
20 Pierre Gasly Toro Rosso/Honda 1m25.295s –