Australian Grand Prix 2025 F1 Qualifying: Russell Grabs Pole Over Antonelli At Albert Park

Mercedes has revealed its dominant hand during qualifying for Sunday’s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. George Russell earned his ninth-career pole position Saturday ahead of his teammate Kimi Antonelli for the team’s 83rd front-row lockout and its first since the 2024 British Grand Prix. Russell topped all three sessions in F1’s knockout qualifying format, finally casting aside questions of where Mercedes team was in the new-era pecking order. His pole time, at 1 minute, 18.518 seconds, was almost eight-tenths faster than the nearest non-Mercedes challenger, Red Bull rookie Isack Hadjar, who completed the top three.

Updated on: 7 March 2026 2:34 pm

Australia F1 GP Auto Racing George Russell

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain reacts after winning the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Qualifying session winner Mercedes driver George Russell, centre, of Britain stands with teammate and second placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli, right, of Italy and third placed Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Mercedes driver George Russell, left, of Britain is congratulated by third placed Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France after winning the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain reacts after winning the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia,. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain walks down pit lane after winning the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Australian Grand Prix 2025 F1 Qualifying George Russell

Mercedes driver George Russell of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Red Bull driver Isack Hadjar of France steers his car during the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Scott Barbour

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Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands spins off the track during the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

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McLaren driver Lando Norris of Britain steers his car during the qualifying session for the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia. | Photo: AP/Scott Barbour