Here's the confirmed starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix

After his dominant lap on Saturday, eight tenths ahead of the next non-Mercedes driver, George Russell lines up on pole with his to teammate Kimi Antonelli P2.

Rounding up the top three is Red Bull debutant Isack Hadjar, who has Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc alongside him on the second row.

The McLaren drivers Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris start P5 and P6, respectively, while Lewis Hamilton is in P7 with Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson just behind him.

Making his F1 debut is British teen Arvid Lindblad in P9, who has Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto for company in the final points position.

At the back of the grid, Max Verstappen starts in P20 ahead of Carlos Sainz and Lance Stroll, respectively, despite the three drivers failing to set a time in Q1.

Stroll in particular was under pressure from F1’s ‘107%’ rule, a stipulation barring drivers from participating if they exceed 107% of the fastest time set in Q1. Stroll, whose lap times and mileage in practice have been hindered by power unit problems, has nonetheless been cleared to race after the FIA found “compelling” evidence the AMR26 was safe to do so.

Elsewhere, many thought Valtteri Bottas would be lining last due to a five-second grid penalty picked up at Abu Dhabi’s 2024 finale, but a little-known FIA ruling means he returns for newcomers Cadillac P19 on the grid, just behind teammate Sergio Perez.