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Just quietly, Lindblad has set the seventh-fastest time in Q2 in his Racing Bulls car and looks well-placed to advance through to Q3. A heck of an effort from the rookie driver.<\/p>\n
Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hulkenberg comes through with a 1:20.303, which is good enough to get him up into the top ten. Hamilton comes through soon soon after recording a lap that moves him up into sixth.<\/p>\n It\u2019s now Bortoleto, Ocon, Gasly, Bearmna, Albon, and Colapinto in the bottom five.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Halfway through Q2 and Russell\u2019s flying 1:18.934 remains the fastest time logged.<\/p>\n Gasly, Bearman, Hulkenberg, Colapinto, Albon, and Hamilton are currently sitting in the elimination zone \u2013 albeit the Ferrari driver is yet to set a representative lap time.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Antonelli comes through and sets a new fastest lap with a 1:19.604, only to be relegated back to second when his Mercedes teammate comes through with a 1:18.934 \u2013 the fastest lap anyone has set so far this weekend.<\/p>\n Norris comes through for his flying lap soon after, but comes in 0.948 seconds behind the bookies favourite for this year\u2019s title.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n On his new softs, the Ferrari of Leclerc has set the fastest time in the early stages of Q2, going around in 1:20.088.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Cadillac knew that both cars dropping out in Q1 was always likely and that has come to pass on this Saturday afternoon. Both Audis, however, have made it through, and we\u2019ll await to see how the grid\u2019s other new team goes in this first qualifying of the season.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Q2 Begins<\/p>\n The 16 cars left standing are back out there once more for another 15 minutes, sans the eliminated Alonso, Perez, Bottas, Verstappen, Sainz, and Stroll<\/p>\n After running on mediums in Q1, the Ferraris have emerged on softs for this session, so keen to see just how much added pace they can find.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n A pretty simple message from Antonelli to his garage after they were able to repair his car in time to set a Q1 time: \u201cThank you guys, you are the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re following along with the Women\u2019s Asian Cup, which is also taking place in Australia across the weekend, Taiwan has just taken the lead against Vietnam; Su Yu-hsuan heading home from close-range had a deft chip rebound off the crossbar.<\/p>\n In addition to bringing you live coverage of tommorow\u2019s race, I\u2019ll also be on deck for The Guardian\u2019s live coverage of the Matildas big clash with South Korea, so be sure to join me for that.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Colapinto survives with his final lap! Knocking Alonso into the elimination spots with one, last final lap.<\/p>\n So, the three cars eliminated after Q1 are Alonso (Aston Martin), Perez (Cadillac), Bottas (Cadillac), Verstappen (Red Bull, crashed out), Sainz (Williams, no time), and Stroll (Aston Martin, no time)<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n One minute of Q1 remains and Russell has the fastest time with 1.19.507. Colapinto, Perez, and Bottas are starting down elimination with the three slowest times, while Verstappen has crashed out and Sainz and Stroll haven\u2019t set times.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Cheers from the fans as Piastri sets the fastest time of Q1, only for them to be dulled almost immediately when Russell crosses the line with a time 0.157 seconds quicker.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n As it stands, the Chaldaics of Bottas and Perez are set to join Verstappen in dropping out after Q1, as is Alpine\u2019s Colapinto and Sainz and Stroll \u2013 the latter two have still yet to emerge from the garage.<\/p>\n Alonso, despite Aston Martin\u2019s struggles, is currently sitting in the final spot for Q2. Remarkable.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.26 EST<\/p>\n Word from the Williams\u2019 garage of Sainz is that his FP3 issue may prevent him from setting a time in Q1 \u2013 he\u2019s yet to emerge. Also unsighted is Stroll, whose travails with his Aston Martin have been well-established over the weekend.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Verstappen\u2019s car has been cleared and the countdown has resumed in Q1, with just over six minutes remaining. Two and a half hours after his big crash in FP3, Antonelli is amongst the cars heading back out.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Antonelli is out of the garage and preparing to join the line of cars awaiting their summon following the red card, this delay ensuring that he\u2019ll have multiple attempts to set a lap to get him into Q2.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Going over the replays of Verstappen\u2019s crash, the broadcast is musing on the possibility that Red Bull driver may have suffered a hand injury in the incident: the steering wheel he was holding whipping wildly as the back of his car hit the wall.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n So, Verstappen\u2019s qualifying will end without him setting a lap time. If nothing else, it guarantees that we\u2019re in for some entertaining racing tomorrow, as we can expect him to launch a rapid campaign of overtakes as he seeks to move up from the back of the grid.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDoo-doo-doo-doo… In the doo-doo…\u201d emails in David Howell. Indeed.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.37 EST<\/p>\n Verstappen has one into the wall! Boy oh boy, wowwee!<\/p>\n Red flags are out, stopping the clock (just saw Antonelli fall to his knees in a Mercedes garage s\/) as the Dutchman gets out of the car unscathed.<\/p>\n Wow, looking at the replays, the rears completely locked up on Verstappen as he braked approached turn one, sending him spinning straight through the turn and into the barricade. \u201cThe car just locked on the rear axles\u2026 fantastic,\u201d he says, deadpan, on the radio.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.19 EST<\/p>\n The Ferraris are the only cars that have come out with medium tyres for Q1 and they\u2019re currently occupying the seventh and eighth-fastest places for the session. Nope, now it\u2019s fourth and eighth, as Hamilton sets a new quick lap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Just over ten minutes remaining in Q1 and Antonelli\u2019s car is still yet to exit the garage. He\u2019s not going to have much margin for error if he is able to get out there and record a lap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Russell crosses the line to record his first lap \u2013 going quickest with a 1:19.840, a time that should see him through to Q2 \u2013 leaving Leclerc, Hadjar and Verstappen, Sainz, Stroll, and Antonelli as the only drivers we\u2019re yet to have log a lap.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.08 EST<\/p>\n Both Maclaren cars have come out with soft tyres for Q1, an interesting choice so early on. Piastri goes quickest in his first lap but Norris logs a solid, but unspectacular time in his.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Hulkenberg \u2013 where were you during the Hulkenpodium in 2025!?!!?! \u2013 sets the first time of Q1 in his Audi, getting a time of 1:36.136 on the board. He\u2019ll go quicker, but we\u2019re away in Melbourne.<\/p>\n Bearman, Albon, Ocon, Gasly all come through afterwards, with rookie Arvid Lindblad setting a 1:21.008.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Q1 Begins<\/p>\n Green flags are waving at Albert Park, and the first qualification session of the 2026 F1 Championship is underway!<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With just moments to go until Q1 begins, mechanics are continuing to work feverishly on Antonelli\u2019s car, attempting to repair it in time to ensure he can set some kind of lap in this first session of qualifying. Bitta drama.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Really good stuff, this.<\/p>\n What a night at our Inclusive Pit Lane Experience \ud83e\udd29<\/p>\n With our friends from What Ability Foundation, this experience provides a sensory reduced environment for people of all abilities to get a comfortable and up close look at the F1\u00ae team garages \ud83e\udef6#AusGP<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/gdCqCWuIiR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 F1 Australian Grand Prix (@ausgrandprix) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Who are we expecting to be quickest in qualifying? Well, it\u2019s difficult to be too definitive given we\u2019ve had disruptions and red flags across practice but it\u2019s likely that the Mercedes-powered Mercedes and McLaren teams will have good pace (assuming Antonelli is able to take part after repairs to his car), followed by the Ferrari and Red Bull units.<\/p>\n After that, who knows? All we can probably say with certainty is that Aston Martin will be doing well to not suffer further catastrophe \u2026<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a000.04 EST<\/p>\n As a reminder, qualifying in 2026 will take part in three stages. All 22 cars will take the track in Q1 and set a time across 18 minutes, with the cars that come in ranked 22nd through 17th eliminated at its conclusion.<\/p>\n After a brief break, the remaining cars will return for a 15 minute Q2 session, at the conclusion of which the cars ranked 16th through 11th will be culled.<\/p>\n After a shorter seven minute break, qualifying will then conclude with a 13 minute Q3 session in which the ten remaining cars will engage in a shootout for pole position.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n With the start of qualification imminent, a check of the rain radar, followed by double-checking glance out my window, suggests that we won\u2019t have any rain interrupting today\u2019s session. Must not be the water.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Moo<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Much of the focus Down Under has, as you might expect, cantered upon hometown hero Oscar Piastri, who has set his sight\u2019s upon going better than his third-placed finish \u2013 without upsetting the applecart alongside newly crowned champion Lando Norris<\/p>\n Valtteri Bottas, however, should have plenty of support from the locals throughout today as well, as the Finn has made Australia his home and away from home in recent years.<\/p>\n Alongside Aussie cyclist wife Tiffany Cromwell, the Cadillac driver has established McLaren Vale, South Australia as a second home; recently purchasing the Vineyard McLaren Vale estate.<\/p>\n He\u2019s also embraced the Budgie Smuggler.<\/a><\/p>\n Allow Instagram content?<\/p>\n This article includes content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. To view this content, click ‘Allow and continue’.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n Word from the Mercedes garage is that they\u2019re hopeful that Kimi Antonelli will be able to take part in qualifying after his big crash in FP3, with the power unit and chassis emerging unscathed from the incident and leaving a gearbox replacement as the largest outstanding job.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.37 EST<\/p>\n We had some late developments in Melbourne, as FIA officials made changes to the straight zone mode in front of turn nine. And then we didn\u2019t, when they performed a backflip after pushback from teams.<\/p>\n The change obviously would have had huge ramifications for energy recover but also meant that much of the data gathered during yesterday\u2019s practice sessions \u2013 which took place with this straight zone still in effect \u2013 would have severely limited.<\/p>\n FIA has removed straight-line mode between Turns Six and Nine for safety reasons after concerns expressed by drivers. It will be worse for energy recovery but drivers were experiencing front and rear sliding through there at high speed<\/p>\n \u2014 Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) March 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n FIA statement on straight-line mode: \u201cFollowing feedback in last hour from Teams & Drivers, & additional analysis contributed by Teams, decision to remove Straight Mode zone #4 is rescinded. Further evaluation during and after FP3.\u201d \u2014 Andrew Benson (@andrewbensonf1) March 7, 2026<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n In FP3 today, it was George Russell who went quickest, with the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton following behind.<\/p>\n The session, however, was disrupted first by the Williams of Carlos Sainz coming to a stop near pit lane, requiring a red flag as it was removed, followed by a big crash from Russel\u2019s teammate Kimi Antonelli, who went into the barrier on turn two to end his session and leave some doubt as to if his car will be repaired in time for qualifying.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n There\u2019s a renewed sense of optimism at Ferrari this season, one that, Giles Richards writes, is reflected in the spirit of Lewis Hamilton.<\/p>\n Hamilton, F1\u2019s first black race driver, has also taken the opportunity at the first race of the season to call for a movement to \u201ctake Africa back\u201d and shed the influence of former colonial powers, as well as reiterated his desire to see F1 bring a race to the continent.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n The first sprint race of the 2026 F2 season just ended, and it\u2019s Paraguayan Joshua D\u00fcrksen \u2013 a development driver for Mercedes \u2013 who has taken the chequered flag for Invicta Racing.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a023.23 EST<\/p>\n New seasons, of course, evoke thoughts of hope and promise, of a blank slate in which we can project our dreams and aspirations on the month\u2019s ahead, before the cruel grind of reality sets in.<\/p>\n Unfortunately for Aston Martin, however, they\u2019ve not even been able to make it to qualifying before the cold hand of merciless materiality set in; their trip Down Under already looking more cooked than the last sausage left on the barbeque at the end of a Bunning\u2019s sausage sizzle.<\/p>\n After a disrupted testing period, team principal Adrian Newey admitted on Thursday that drivers Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will not be able to complete even half the race this weekend due to fears of permanent nerve damage related to a vibration problem with the team\u2019s car \u2013 the former only able to complete 25 laps at a time and the latter, who has a history of wrist issues, only able to do 15.<\/p>\n The news didn\u2019t get any better after FP1 and FP2 yesterday, with Newey disclosing that the team was down to its last two battery units for their hybrid engines \u2013 the ones currently in the cars \u2013 and that they wouldn\u2019t be able to source replacements if problems should arise.<\/p>\n Needless to say, the relationship between Aston Martin and power supplier Honda \u2013 the make-up of the latter seemingly unknown by the former before they reached an agreement \u2013 has already reached a nadir.<\/p>\n This has already had an impact on today\u2019s racing, too, with Alonso seeing some improvements in pact but Stroll not taking part in FP3.<\/p>\n Lance will not take part in FP3 due to a suspected ICE issue.#AusGP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team (@AstonMartinF1) March 7, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Alonso 3.1s off the fastest time for now – could actually be important if there are any issues in qualifying as it shows Aston has the pace to be well within 107% this weekend (he was just 0.6s inside the FP2 time) #F1<\/a> #AusGP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chris Medland (@ChrisMedlandF1) March 7, 2026<\/a>Share<\/a><\/p>\n double quotation markWhen the new Formula One season begins on Sunday in the usual fever of excitement and anticipation, consider amid the maelstrom the Cadillac team. Before the lights go out in Melbourne, F1\u2019s newest entrant will have a deserved chance to take a breath and savour for but a moment, their remarkable achievement of simply having made it to the grid.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n The sweeping changes to regulations this year were always going to present new opportunities and the consensus is that it\u2019s Mercedes that will have the pace heading into the new season \u2013 something which has played out across FP2 and FP3.<\/p>\n \u201cFP1 looked positive, but then [in] FP2 the teams are showing little by little, a bit more. Unfortunately, we seem to be on the back foot \u2013 especially compared to Mercedes, [they] seem to be very, very strong,\u201d Ferrari\u2019s Charles Leclerc said yesterday.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think they showed everything on low fuel, but on high fuel, it was very impressive. I mean it\u2019s the first time probably we see how much there is to them.<\/p>\n \u201c[They had] a bit more [pace] than what I would have liked, but it\u2019s the way it is. On the other side, it\u2019s been quite a positive start on the weekend, and we\u2019ll keep working very hard to maximise everything for tomorrow.<\/p>\n \u201cFor the rest of the weekend, it\u2019s all about putting everything together. In qualifying, I have the feeling that it can be quite close.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the race, it seems that Mercedes has quite a lot of performance coming, but we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n The bookmakers have installed George Russell as the favourite to take out this year\u2019s drivers\u2019 title and the Brit has cut a quietly confident figure \u2013 albeit almost everyone has been relatively quiet to now, not wanting to give any hints \u2013 heading into the first race of the season.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>The 2026 Grid<\/p>\n Just a year on from getting approval to take the grid in 2026, the arrival of Cadillac to F1<\/a> has ushered in the return of Sergio P\u00e9rez and Valtteri Bottas to the grid for the 2026 campaign, with the American manufacturer \u2013 who will be powered by Ferrari until they transition to an in-house power unit \u2013 opting for experience behind the wheel in their debut season.<\/p>\n While not technically a start-up like Cadillac, Audi will also race for the first time this year, taking over from over Kick Sauber, whom they purchased in 2024 with the intent on fielding a factory team in this first year of the new regulations.<\/p>\n Ford, meanwhile, is back as an engine supplier for the first time since it powered Jordan in 2004, partnering with Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls following their split with Honda. The Japanese supplier, for their part, are now supplying Aston Martin.<\/p>\n After the demotion of Yuki Tsunoda to test and reserve driver, Isack Hadjar has made the step-up to Red Bull Racing from Racing Bulls, with his seat taken by British driver Arvid Lindblad, who is making the step-up from Formula 2.<\/p>\n The 2026 Grid:<\/p>\n Franco Colapinto Alpine<\/p>\n Pierre Gasly Alpine<\/p>\n Lance Stroll Aston Martin<\/p>\n Fernando Alonso Aston Martin<\/p>\n Nico Hulkenberg Audi<\/p>\n Gabriel Bortoleto Audi<\/p>\n Valtteri Bottas Cadillac<\/p>\n Sergio Perez Cadillac<\/p>\n Charles Leclerc Ferrari<\/p>\n Lewis Hamilton Ferrari<\/p>\n Esteban Ocon Haas<\/p>\n Oliver Bearman Haas<\/p>\n Lando Norris (C) McLaren<\/p>\n Oscar Piastri McLaren<\/p>\n George Russell Mercedes<\/p>\n Kimi Antonelli Mercedes<\/p>\n Liam Lawson Racing Bulls<\/p>\n Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls<\/p>\n Max Verstappen Red Bull<\/p>\n Isack Hadjar Red Bull<\/p>\n Carlos Sainz Williams<\/p>\n Alex Albon Williams<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n double quotation markLando Norris recalls being rendered speechless with joy when he was given his first contract with McLaren. Sitting in the cramped office of a paddock truck, the confirmation that he had made it to Formula One left him \u201cvery smiley for a long time\u201d. Seven years on, he enters the new season having achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming world champion and is wearing an equally irrepressible grin as he sets about defending his title.<\/p>\n For the first time, Lando Norris will enter the season as champion, seeing off a late charge by Max Verstappen during the tail end of the 2025 to break the Dutchman\u2019s longstanding stranglehold on the driver\u2019s championship.<\/p>\n And as he told Giles Richards last month, the Brit feels ready to go back-to-back.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re just popping your head back in for the first time since last season, I\u2019m afraid there\u2019s a whole new vocabulary that you\u2019re going to need to come to grips with. There\u2019s now hybrid engines and active aerodynamics to contend with, as well as the departure of the DRS and the arrival of overtake mode and recharge mode.<\/p>\n Didn\u2019t do the required reading and have no idea what I\u2019m talking about? Don\u2019t worry, Giles Richards has you covered.<\/p>\n Of course, this is F1, where every team is doing everything they can to harness the most amount of speed possible from their cars \u2013 with their tinkering always pushing right up against the limit of what is or may be acceptable under the regulations.<\/p>\n Thus, we\u2019ve already had a blow-up under the new regulations before a race has even been staged, this one focused on accusations that Mercedes\u2019 had used thermal expansion of components to exploit a loophole in regulations surrounding engine compression ratios.<\/p>\n Share<\/a>Preamble<\/p>\n Joey Lynch<\/p>\n Howdy all, it\u2019s ya boi Joey Lynch here, and welcome to The Guardian\u2019s live coverage of the opening round of the 2026 Formula One<\/a> campaign, emanating to you from a somewhat cloudy Melbourne.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a long build-up to the new campaign, one which reached a dramatic crescendo over the past fortnight when the United States and Israel\u2019s attack on Iran spilled over into rocket and drone attacks and the shuttering of air space and cancellations of flights across the Middle East.<\/p>\n Not only did this disrupt preparations, but it also forced up to a thousand members of F1\u2019s travelling roadshow to make new new travel arrangements<\/a> that would enable them to land Down Under in time. Fortunately, pretty much all of them have.<\/p>\n The tour\u2019s trip to albert park this year also marks the first time we\u2019re seeing teams compete under the new, wide-ranging regulations in action that have been put in place for 2026: the cars made smaller in size and weight with the intent of making them more nimble facilitating improved racing and powered by new, hybrid engines.<\/p>\n We got our first look at these new beasts in action yesterday during FP1 and FP2, with the Mercedes-powered teams delivering on the expectations that they\u2019ll be on the ones to beat by going fastest in FP2 (we\u2019ll always have FP1, Ferrari). Much of the day\u2019s events, however, where overshadowed by whatever the heck is going on at Aston Martin and the non-zero possibility that the cars might vibrate so hard they\u2019ll send Fernando Alonso into the speed force if he pushes the car too hard.<\/p>\n And with qualification taking place today, we\u2019ve got even more to look forward to. That starts at 4pm AEDT\/5am GMT.<\/p>\n
Why didn\u2019t they ask teams first..?<\/p>\n