Verstappen wins the F1 Australian Grand Prix, with a rejuvenated Carlos Sainz in the front row.
Max Verstappen secured pole position for the upcoming Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, a result that was expected given his recent form with wins in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. However, what caught many by surprise was Lewis Hamilton, an eight-time pole winner in Australia, failing to advance to the final round of qualifying on Saturday.
Verstappen, driving for Red Bull alongside teammate Sergio Perez who secured second place in both previous races, will lead the grid for the 58-lap race on the Albert Park street circuit. This marks Verstappen’s 35th pole position in his Formula 1 career.
The qualifying session saw Carlos Sainz, who returned from appendix surgery before the Saudi Arabian race, take the second-fastest time, followed by Perez in third position.
Reflecting on his performance, Verstappen expressed his happiness with the result, especially considering the challenges faced during the weekend. He noted the competitive pace of Ferrari and acknowledged the uncertainty for the race day.
Verstappen mentioned, “It was a bit unexpected but I’m very happy… It’s been a bit of a tricky weekend so far. (Ferrari) seem very quick, so it’s a bit of a question mark for tomorrow.”
He also shared insights into his qualifying experience, mentioning adjustments made to his car that improved his performance in the final qualifying session, allowing him to push to the limit and secure pole position.
