Back-to-back F1 champion Max Verstappen saved his best for the final moments to claim pole in Melbourne after teammate and title rival Sergio Perez crashed out to ensure he’d start last.

The Red Bull superstar will be joined on the front row by Mercedes’ George Russell with his teammate Lewis Hamilton third in an impressive showing by the British pair.

Aussie Oscar Piastri was 16th after being knocked out of Q1 by 0.04 seconds.

“The problem with Piastri, it’s just car set up,” Sky Sports commentator Ted Kravitz said.

“He’s just been on the radio, he feels the car is underbalanced. He just doesn’t have the McLaren where he wants it.”

Former world champion Jenson Button said: “Oh that’s painful. Painful. His teammate was up in P12.

“It’s so difficult those conditions. He’s never experienced that before. You can do multiple laps on a set of tyres, but (he) just didn’t get the lap together in the end, which is a shame.”

QUALIFYING LIVE UPDATES

Half of the field - the Haas, Williams, McLaren, AlphaTauri and Alfa Romeo drivers - rushed out of the pits right away as Q1 got underway fearing showers would cause havoc later in the session.

But there was a sudden disaster for Red Bull with Sergio Perez going deep into turn 3 and beaching the car in the gravel and mud. A red flag was quickly flown with 11:44 left.

It came after he went off four times during Practice 3.

“At this level, that’s just not acceptable,” David Coulthard said on F1 TV commentary.

“It was the same f***ing issue again,” Perez raged on team radio, referring to his problems in third practice

Max Verstappen quickly went fastest with a 1:18.063 but his main rivals weren’t able to get anywhere near it on their first runs, with the soft tyres taking a while to warm up.

Williams’ Alex Albon shockingly leapt into second just 0.08 seconds behind the two-time champion before Fernando Alonso took P1 with purple first and third sectors. Verstappen then went half a second faster than his previous best.

Aussie Oscar Piastri failed to make it out of Q1 with a 1:18.517 to qualify 16th, just 0.04 seconds behind 15th-placed Yuki Tsunoda and around three tenths behind teammate Lando Norris (12th).

Guanyu Zhou, Logan Sargeant and Valtteri Bottas were also knocked out. Max Verstappen led the two Mercedes drivers at the top with Alex Albon (8th) and the two Haas cars (9th and 10th) the big surprises.

In Q2, the early surprise was Nico Hulkenberg putting his Haas up amongst the Red Bulls, Aston Martins and Ferraris in the top six. Verstappen and Alonso led the way.

The AlphaTauris of Nyck De Vries and Yuki Tsunoda, Haas’ Kevin Magnussen, Lando Norris and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon were the five eliminated, the latter by just 0.007 from 10th-placed Alex Albon.

Verstappen was again first with Alonso (second) matching him in the first and third sectors, but slower in the second sector - which is one corner and then the lengthy back straight, showing the Red Bull’s incredible pace in a straight line.

Hulkenberg was a very impressive fifth behind the two Ferraris, though there was less than half a second between second (Alonso) and 11th (Ocon).

As Q3 began rain was expected to fall in the final few minutes of the session making the early laps critical.

Verstappen set the early mark with a 1:17.578, though it was five tenths off his Q2 best time, then beaten by Alonso with a 1:17.303, with Lewis Hamilton then into provisional pole with a 1:17.271.

Verstappen then pipped Hamilton by just 0.009 seconds with rain looming large on the radar.

In the final runs of qualifying, Verstappen dropped half a second on the field with a 1:16.732 which would not be caught.

But the Mercedes pair were the surprises with Russell in second (+0.236) and Hamilton in third (+0.372), with Alonso fourth (+0.407) and Sainz fifth (+0.538). Then came Stroll, Leclerc, Albon, Gasly and Hulkenberg.

“We weren’t expecting that, that’s for sure,” Russell said post-qualifying.

Provisional starting grid for Australian Grand Prix

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), 2. George Russell (Mercedes)

3. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), 4. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), 6. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 8. Alex Albon (Williams)

9. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), 10. Nico Hulkenberg (Haas)

11. Esteban Ocon (Alpine), 12. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri)

13. Lando Norris (McLaren), 14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)

15. Nyck De Vries (AlphaTauri), 16. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

17. Zhou Guanyu (Alfa Romeo), 18. Logan Sargeant (Williams)

19. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo), 20. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)

PIASTRI REPRIMANDED AHEAD OF QUALI

Aussie rookie Oscar Piastri has received a reprimand for his breach of practice start regulations.

“The driver admitted that he had lost concentration and was preparing to do a practice start but attempted it a lap too early, having failed to take the chequered flag before doing so,” the stewards summary said.

“After he slowed down considerably, the team warned him to complete the lap before attempting a practice start and therefore he did not go through the full practice start procedure.

“The driver candidly admitted his mistake and recognised that this could have resulted in a dangerous situation on the track.

“In accordance with previous precedents for similar infringements, we imposed a reprimand on him.”

Meanwhile a 90 per cent chance of rain was declared for qualifying.

DISAPPOINTING HOME DEBUT FOR DOOHAN

Jack Doohan’s Formula 2 debut back home in Australia didn’t go to plan on Friday, when he qualified 15th in a wet session following a first-place finish in practice.

And it got worse in the sprint race on Saturday as he was spun around by Juan Michael Correa causing a collision and ending the son of motorsport great Mick’s race.

Correa was given a 10-second penalty for the incident while Doohan will hope to perform better in the feature race on Sunday (from 11:35am).

After a series of safety cars Dennis Hauger claimed victory.

PRACTICE 3 LIVE REPORT

A windy and cold afternoon - much like the start of Practice 2 before the rain hit - greeted all 20 drivers as they got their final practice running underway at Albert Park.

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok declared he was keen to see how McLaren fared after a solid first day, believing they could both crack the top 10 in qualifying.

“I think McLaren, I would be interested to see, because they looked a bit better in the first two sessions. Lando Norris missed half the session but still ended up in the top 10,” he said on Sky Sports F1.

“In the damp in the afternoon both drivers looked pretty confident so I wonder if McLaren could sneak both cars into Q3.”

Max Verstappen set a strong early mark with a 1:18.741 on the mediums, just 0.010 slower than Charles Leclerc was on the softs.

But his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez didn’t make it on track in the opening 20 minutes with mechanics working on his car in a worrying sight - it was believed to be a stiff rear anti-roll bar - before he eventually got going.

“That doesn’t look like entirely routine work on the Red Bull,” F1 TV analyst Sam Collins said.

“This is not entirely scheduled because there’s a very slim chance of rain and we lost Practice 2 essentially ... if you haven’t come out it’s a little bit of a surprise.”

He added: “Red Bull’s reliability is not bullet-proof at the moment ... there are a few little gremlins in the back of that car.”

Both Alex Albon and Logan Sargeant leapt into the top 10 through half an hour with ex-Renault driver Jolyon Palmer declaring on F1 TV: “Holy smokes, the Williams has got some pace!”

A red flag was flown with 27 minutes left in the session after a big piece of AlphaTauri debris on the racing line on the way into turn 9 was spotted, causing a five-minute stoppage.

Perez’s difficult session continued with a few off-road adventures as he remained anchored to the bottom of the timesheet.

“I just don’t feel the... it’s all OK with the car?” Perez asked on team radio, also complaining of brake issues into Turn 1.

Another off a few minutes later as he tried for a push lap saw Jolyon Palmer declare: “He just can’t put a lap together at all.”

Lando Norris’ practice drew to an early close with 15 minutes left with Ted Kravitz explaining in the pits: “Lando’s car is broken. Practice is over for Lando.”

As showers fell in the final minutes of the session Perez had yet another off, locking up into Turn 1 with his brakes remaining a problem, before finally posting a proper time - yet he was almost six tenths off his teammate Verstappen.

Alpine was the big surprise with Esteban Ocon in third and Pierre Gasly in fifth.

Piastri was summoned to see the stewards after a practice start infringement.

“A reminding of the rules and that’ll be it for Piastri, surely,” Jolyon Palmer said on F1 TV.

PRACTICE 3 LEADERBOARD

1. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (1:17.565)

2. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (+0.162)

3. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (+0.373)

4. George Russell, Mercedes (+0.390)

5. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (+0.529)

6. Sergio Perez, Red Bull (+0.558)

7. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (+0.562)

8. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (+0.573)

9. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin (+0.633)

10. Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo (+0.765)

11. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas (+0.845)

12. Alex Albon, Williams (+0.988)

13. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (+1.126)

14. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (+1.148)

15. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo (+1.244)

16. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri (+1.336)

17. Logan Sargeant, Williams (+1.382)

18. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (+1.491)

19. Nyck De Vries, AlphaTauri (+1.527)

20. Lando Norris, McLaren (+1.581)

All on softs except Norris on mediums

‘THEY HAD TO’: RED BULL REJECTS STAR’S ONE-CAR TEAM CLAIM

Red Bull boss Christian Horner has denied Sergio Perez’s claims the team used to race two cars “just because they had to”.

While Perez has maintained he now has the support of the team, he suggested Max Verstappen’s former teammates like Pierre Gasly, Alex Albon and Daniil Kyvat didn’t earn the same respect.

Despite the widespread perception Verstappen is prioritised, Horner rejected the suggestion on Friday.

“Well, that’s the first I’ve heard him saying that,” Horner said. “We always have run two cars since we entered the sport in 2005.

“And we always want to have the best two drivers that we can in the car, and I think it’s great to see Checo doing certainly a great job now.

“In 2021 he came into the car off the back of the COVID season and at the end of a set of regulations, and he struggled with that car. Last year, he was definitely more at home within the car and two of our 17 victories he achieved.

“He’s got out the blocks well again this year. But we’re only two races into the season and it’s an awful long, long way to go. And as a team, we’ve always strived to give both drivers the best opportunity and the best equipment we can and then it’s down to what they do on track.

“And that’s whether it’s Max and Checo, or Daniel (Ricciardo) and Max, or Daniel and Seb (Vettel), or Mark (Webber) and Seb, or we could even go back to David Coulthard and Mark Webber.

“So that’s the way we’ve always rolled and it’s down to what they do on the circuit at the end of the day that counts.”

Perez was asked on Thursday whether he felt he had the support of the team as he builds a case as the main threat to Verstappen’s championship hopes.

“I fully believe (that) and certainly when I came to the team, things were very different. Basically, they were just going racing with two cars because they had to,” he said.

“I can say now that I really feel part of the team. I really feel like I have my place, and I am well respected. And I think that’s something good to have as a driver.

“I really believe that I have full support of the team as much as Max does, and that I will have every single opportunity to win the championship as much as Max.”

‘THIS IS SPORT’: PEREZ LIFTS LID ON AWKWARD VERSTAPPEN SCENE

Red Bull star Sergio Perez reiterated he has “a good relationship” with Jos Verstappen despite the latter’s snub in Saudi Arabia.

Perez stormed home to win the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with Jos’ son, Max, finishing second.

As the Mexican celebrated with his Red Bull team members, the elder Verstappen was seen looking rather awkward.

The Dutchman gave a nod of acknowledgment towards Perez, but refused to offer any handshakes or other gestures of congratulations.

Perez then gave a big and lengthy hug to the people next to Verstappen, who didn’t quite know where to look and seemed as if he’d rather be anywhere else in that moment.

However, the Red Bull driver didn’t seem too fussed about it all.

“I have a good relationship with Jos,” Perez told the Press Association.

“We respect each other. We know this is sport, and that is how we treat it.

“We shook hands but they probably didn’t show that. I saw a few things were written on social media, but sometimes people like to create stories that don’t exist.

“He wasn’t smiling much but you don’t have to smile every day and all the time.

“I drive cars, I work hard with my team but I have a life out of the sport and, once I am out of this paddock, I am totally out of this environment.

“It is important to be able to disconnect because it is a waste of time if you keep tracking all the rumours.”

‘NO QUESTION MORE PEOPLE WOULD WATCH’: PLANS FOR SHOCK AUS GP CHANGE REVEALED

The Australian Grand Prix could become the latest race on the Formula One calendar to take place at night, with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali also hoping to make the Albert Park race the season curtain raiser once again.

Should the switch go ahead, it would make the Australian GP one of seven night races in F1’s stacked season.

Australian GP chairman Paul Little is certainly intrigued by the move and insists he will “continue to explore” the viability of pushing the race into the evening under the Melbourne night sky.

“I’d love to not rule out a night Grand Prix,” Little said.

“I just think if we could make that work, that would be amazing and also great for reaching the rest of the F1 audience.

“There is no question more people would watch it if they could see it live at a reasonable hour on the other side of the world.

“So I think we will continue to explore the viability and the capability of doing that.”

ALONSO TOPS TIMESHEETS IN RAIN-HIT PRACTICE 2

There was a huge rush to get out onto the circuit at the opening of Practice 2 with rain on the radar and huge temperature drops, with an estimated 40 per cent chance of showers during the session and a track temperature of 26.5 degrees.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez looked on track to set the early fastest lap before getting stuck behind Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll in the final complex of corners.

“Yeah, Stroll f***ed me there,” Perez said on team radio.

Perez was then blocked by Guanyu Zhou declaring: “Ahh f*** sake’s man, traffic is horrendous.”

Cars continued to get in each others’ ways with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen blocking Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and the champion complaining he hadn’t been told the latter was coming.

Rain then began to fall some 15 minutes into the session on portions of the track. Some cars continued to run on the dry tyres but failed to improve their times at all.

The Ferraris returned to the track with 35 minutes left with Mercedes’ George Russell saying on team radio he felt it was too dry for intermediates but they’d soon be appropriate.

He declared he was “surprised” as he noticed Sainz and Charles Leclerc were on fresh softs, with Leclerc quickly declaring “there’s no point driving like this” and returning to the pits.

“Ferrari do weird things when it’s drizzling, don’t they?” Jolyon Palmer said on F1 TV.

“They’ve just wasted a set of soft tyres.”

The rain only got heavier from there before most drivers came out on inters to gather some fresh data on how the 2023 cars go in the wet.

PRACTICE 2 LEADERBOARD (Dry running in first 15 minutes)

1. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin (1:18.887)

2. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari (+0.445)

3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull (+0.615)

4. George Russell, Mercedes (+0.785)

5. Carlos Sainz, Ferrari (+0.808)

6. Esteban Ocon, Alpine (+0.838)

7. Sergio Perez, Red Bull (+1.196)

8. Lando Norris, McLaren (+1.289)

9. Nico Hulkenberg, Haas (+1.307)

10. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (+1.319)

11. Yuki Tsunoda, AlphaTauri (+1.333)

12. Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo (+1.425)

13. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes (+1.436)

14. Oscar Piastri, McLaren (+1.493)

15. Guanyu Zhou, Alfa Romeo (+1.583)

16. Lance Stroll, AstonMartin (+1.692)

17. Nyck De Vries, AlphaTauri (+1.713)

18. Alex Albon, Williams (+2.295)

18. Kevin Magnussen, Haas (+2.379)

20. Logan Sargeant, Williams (No time)

 

SATURDAY SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEDT)

9:05am - 9:20am: Supercars Qualifying (Race 5)

9:30am - 9:45am: Supercars Qualifying (Race 6)

10:45am - 11:30am: Formula 3 Sprint Race

12:30pm - 1:30pm: Formula One Practice 3

2:30pm - 3:10pm: Formula 2 Sprint Race

4pm - 5pm: Formula One Qualifying

5:30pm - 6:00pm: Supercars Race 5

 

HOW TO WATCH

The entire Australian Grand Prix, including every practice, qualifying and race, can be watched live and ad-break free on Foxtel and streaming platform Kayo.