Formula 1 has set the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Australian GP after the qualifying session held at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne. Mercedes was the highlight of the activity and secured a full front row for the race that opens the new season of the category.
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George Russell took pole position and starts at the front, joined by teammate Kimi Antonelli. The result puts the German team in a very favorable position for the race, with both of its cars starting from the top positions on the grid.
Right behind comes Isack Hadjar, who put Red Bull in third position. The driver shares the second row with Charles Leclerc, who took Ferrari to fourth place after a very competitive qualifying session.
McLaren also showed strength in the session. Oscar Piastri, racing in front of the Australian crowd, secured fifth place on the provisional starting grid. The current Formula 1 champion, Lando Norris, starts right behind in sixth position.
Ferrari also has Lewis Hamilton in seventh place, keeping the Italian team close to the fight for the top positions in the race.
Another highlight of qualifying was Racing Bulls, which placed both of its cars in the top ten of the provisional grid. Liam Lawson secured eighth place, while the young Arvid Lindblad starts in ninth position.
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Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto also appears well-positioned. The Audi driver secured tenth place and starts the race within the top 10 at the season opener. His teammate, Nico Hülkenberg, starts right behind.
Further back on the grid are experienced names who will have a recovery race ahead. Fernando Alonso and Sergio Pérez start outside the top 15, while Max Verstappen had a complicated qualifying and starts from only 20th position.
The Australian GP race, which officially opens the 2026 Formula 1 season, takes place in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday, at 1:00 AM Brasília time (GMT -3).
Check out the provisional starting grid for the 2026 Australian GP below:
1. George Russell (Mercedes)
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes)
6. Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes)
7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
8. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
9. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford)
10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi)
12. Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari)
13. Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari)
14. Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes)
15. Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes)
16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes)
17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda)
18. Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari)
19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari)
20. Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford)
21. Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes)
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda)
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