Max Verstappen has his sights set on a third-straight win to open 2024, with the defending Formula One world champion claiming pole for the Australian Grand Prix.
The Red Bull superstar blitzed qualifying on Saturday as he aims to back up last year’s race victory at Albert Park, but there was disaster for local hope Daniel Ricciardo.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Heartbreak for Ricciardo in qualifying.
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Verstappen secured the 35th pole of his career, finishing in front of resurgent Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz and his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.
Sainz was forced to sit out of the Saudi Arabia race two weeks ago, replaced by British youngster Oliver Bearman, after having surgery for appendicitis.
As recently as Thursday, the Spaniard was no certainty to race in Melbourne but Sainz has made a seamless transition back into his Ferrari — despite admitting he was still dealing with pain.
Verstappen has taken pole position for Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix. Credit: AAP
Australia’s rising star Oscar Piastri will start Sunday’s race from sixth after an impressive qualifying session for McLaren.
Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris left it late to record his best time, allowing him to surge up to fourth fastest.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had his worst qualifying session in Melbourne since 2010, placing 11th.
In his final Australian GP before his move to Ferrari next year, the Mercedes legend was eliminated at the end of Q2 in dramatic fashion.
Ricciardo was eliminated in Q1 for the first time at Albert Park after his fastest lap was deleted by stewards.
Ricciardo surged into the top-10 near the end of the session and seemed certain to continue his impressive record of never qualifying lower than 15th in Melbourne.
But the 34-year-old was deemed to have exceeded track limits and was pushed back to start from 18th place in his first GP on home soil since 2022
Daniel Ricciardo’s qualifying hopes were dashed. Credit: Getty Images
“It’s very difficult to swallow but that’s the way it is. Daniel was doing a very good job, probably his best lap so far and more than enough to get into Q2,” RB team principal Laurent Mekies told Sky Sports.
“He was a bit wide in Turn 5 and by a few centimetres we are off track.”
Alex Albon qualified 12th, repaying some of the faith shown from Williams after the British-born Thai driver sat in teammate Logan Sargeant’s car.
Albon’s vehicle suffered extensive damage after he crashed into a wall during practice on Friday, with US driver Sargeant stepping aside for the rest of the weekend..
– AAP
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