F1

Max Verstappen topped the combined times on Friday for Red Bull ahead of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Here's how and when to watch qualifying. Haydn ...

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/how-f1s-new-era-has-exposed-the-downside-of-its-most-important-rule/10449931/) The temperature is set to be 15 degrees Celsius at the start of qualifying. For the entire 2023 F1 season, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights of every qualifying and race of each event. In the United Kingdom Channel 4 is broadcasting highlights of qualifying for the Australian GP at 11:15am BST on Saturday morning. Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98p or a monthly membership of £34.99p. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK.

Max Verstappen headed the practice times on Friday at the Australian Grand Prix, his FP1 best quicker than Fernando Alonso's session-topper in a ...

The teams suggest no more rain is forecast right now, but it's worth noting several of them didn't expect what fell this afternoon to be as much or as heavy as things ended up being. Ferrari concentrated on trying to fix the race tyre management issues that plagued it in Bahrain and Jeddah during FP1 – a shrewd move given it can rival Red Bull in qualifying. Aston Martin tried a variety of set-up changes in FP1 regarding ride heights and wing angles, which is what Alonso meant when he said "we concentrated on some test items and ran through our programme smoothly" in that session. Therefore, if Red Bull doesn't make the right adjustments and continues to have wild moments tomorrow, there's the chance of an upset in qualifying. Expect them to dry and gather as much qualifying and long-run data as they can in the final 60-minute session to replace their Friday night predictions. Then Perez never got to try another flier as the rain rolled in and stopped the drivers improving. In FP2, Sainz and Verstappen exchanged early benchmark times at the top of the order before Alonso forged clear on a 1m18.887s – the trio running the medium tyres. With a few minutes of FP1 remaining, Logan Sargeant stopping coming out of Turn 11 due to an electrical meant the session was cut short. This occurred when Verstappen climbed hard onto the kerbs exiting Turn 4 and nearly speared into the track's inside wall in a manner similar to the incident where Sebastian Vettel crashed out of last year's race here for Aston Martin. This led to several near-misses between cars on different run plans that were going slowly and quickly at different times, so FP1 was red-flagged for nearly 10 minutes. In FP1, the pack had to contend with two invisible factors that set the story of that session. While there was less for the teams to go on than usual after Friday's disrupted running, unseen practice factors may perhaps offer Red Bull's rivals a glimmer of hope in Melbourne

Six F1 Sprint events will take place this year with the first coming at the end of April in Azerbaijan, which Red Bull chief Horner thinks is a recipe for ...

I think everybody is leaving a little bit of a margin there knowing that some of these races could be tough for the budget." Meanwhile, a proposed new format for the Sprint weekends is being considered which would see the FP2 session on a Saturday morning scrapped for a second qualifying. "But that's part of the challenge and it's part of the task that we've got. The Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be the first of six race weekends this year to feature a Sprint session. With that in mind, Horner is not at all impressed that Baku was chosen to be a Sprint weekend. So one race is enough in Baku, the fact that we've got two, there could be well some action there.

F1 introduced a sprint race format two years ago. The number of sprint races this season has doubled to include six on the calendar, up from just three in 2022.

It is not the first time Verstappen has complained about changes being made to the race weekend. Basically, the question is: ‘Is it worth it to spend so much time away from family and friends by chasing more success?’. “Instead of FP2 on a sprint event on Saturday morning, we do our qualifying. [Red Bull](/latest/red-bull) star’s frustration comes after Haas boss Guenther Steiner revealed there could be a second round of qualifying for the sprint race in Baku next month. [Max Verstappen](/latest/max-verstappen) has sensationally threatened to quit Formula One if the authorities continue changing the format of race weekends. “I think that’s way better for the excitement.

Ricciardo had stepped away from a full-time race seat following the 2022 season, after he and McLaren agreed to part company in the wake of a frustrating ...

He lights up a room when he walks in. Horner added: "He's really throwing himself into it. "But having had time off over Christmas and so on, and a chance to reset, when he's come back and got into the 2023 work, he's hit the ground running.

The plan was announced by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the last F1 Commission meeting, where it received widespread support from team bosses. It was then ...

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-drivers-are-the-least-of-ferraris-f1-worries/10448581/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/ranking-the-top-10-pre-war-grand-prix-drivers/10447980/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-state-of-play-in-f1s-technical-silly-season/10449298/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/how-f1s-new-era-has-exposed-the-downside-of-its-most-important-rule/10449931/) "In Baku we are talking about having a second qualifying," said Steiner. It will be impossible to run two complete, three-part qualifying sessions in the usual format with drivers using new tyres in both.

F1 decamps to Melbourne, Australia with Red Bull leading the pack. Who from Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes can challenge them?

Here’s how to watch the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. If you miss those shows, you can catch the action on the All 4 app after it’s broadcast. If you’re seeking a safe and secure VPN, we’d recommend But keep in mind this is the Australian Grand Prix, and just like last year, not everything goes to plan. Can he continue his strong start and be the cat among the Red Bull pigeons. How to watch the Australian F1 Grand Prix 2023

Daniel Ricciardo's head is "currently tracking" on a 2024 Formula 1 return, but only if it's with one of the sport's top teams.

“So I’m not going to do too much more.” It’s not at all costs.” But there’s still some terms and conditions, so to speak. You just don’t have the chance when you’re in it. That, though, would depend on where his head was at and whether or not retirement had got it hooks into him. “Having the chance to step back and just review everything from afar, and with the luxury of time as well, not to be forced to make a decision or rush anything, I feel that if I’m to get back on the grid.

JONATHAN McEVOY IN MELBOURNE: The Aussie favourite is sitting out this season after being sacked by McLaren last term and is now reserve driver at Red Bull.

‘I sit here today and I have confidence I will get back on the grid if that [pointing to his heart] is truly there, and three months into this year that doesn't feel like it is lost. A lot of people might just see what you are doing on social media, and it is often not a true representation of everything that is going on. ‘But this year I will reflect on myself and where I am at in life. I don't see a decade ahead of me.’ ‘It wasn't to be famous. ‘Transparently it wouldn't be about the money,’ said Ricciardo.

After having his contract 'mutually terminated' with McLaren last season, Daniel Ricciardo was left without a driver's seat for 2023 and has instead taken a ...

This is the first year since 2011 that Ricciardo, nicknamed the Honey Badger, has not got an F1 seat. [feeling a 'burn out'](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1/daniel-ricciardo-haas-red-bull-28891790). "Everybody is [going to] want to speak with Daniel. [doomed multi-year deal.](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1/daniel-ricciardo-zak-brown-mclaren-29309772) [Daniel Ricciardo unveils new helmet for Australian GP - even though he's not racing](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/f1/ricciardo-red-bull-f1-helmet-29594858) [Red Bull ](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/latest/red-bull-racing)reserve driver.

GPS problems and rain affects Friday's practice sessions, leaving drivers in the dark over how the Australian GP weekend will play out.

“We won’t be competing against the Red Bulls,” he said. “It will just be about trying to see if we can get up as high as possible. I think we’ve got pace to be around fifth [place] area, same as the last race.” “The forecast tomorrow looks dry for now, and we would welcome that given we only experienced these conditions in the previous two races.” “It felt like we were going in a right direction,” Leclerc said. If we really pull everything together, the third row, between P5 and P8 is where we’re looking.” We will look into what to do and I think the car will be competitive.” The car is feeling good, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow.” I never got a read in the final sector with the traffic and people still missing the GPS. They have seen something in the regulations that we haven’t. “It was a bit mental,” Perez said. In the wake of any other contender for the crown, dominant teams often fall in on themselves.

Formula 1 has discussed the possibility of turning the Australian Grand Prix weekend into a night-race event. Night races have been increasing in popularity ...

So be open-minded is probably the simple answer.” Stefano Domenicali says that he has already discussed the possibility with race organisers and hinted that it could be implemented in the future. The Australian Grand Prix has long been present on F1’s calendar, with Albert Park in Melbourne being the host since 1996.

Follow the third F1 free practice session for the Australian GP live. Keep up to date with everything that happens during FP3 at Albert Park.

In the blog, we will provide you with the latest developments during FP3 in Melbourne. The times refresh automatically during the session, so you are always up to date. You can easily switch between live timing and the live blog via the tabs.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen edged Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso in Saturday's third free practice session for Formula 1's Australian Grand Prix. Filip ...

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-drivers-are-the-least-of-ferraris-f1-worries/10448581/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/ranking-the-top-10-pre-war-grand-prix-drivers/10447980/) [Logan Sargeant](https://www.autosport.com/driver/logan-sargeant/863323/) and [Kevin Magnussen](https://www.autosport.com/driver/kevin-magnussen/829773/) were next up, with De Vries and [Lando Norris](https://www.autosport.com/driver/lando-norris/840487/) propping up the timesheets. [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-state-of-play-in-f1s-technical-silly-season/10449298/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-cycle-of-f1-upheaval-williams-must-end-to-rediscover-past-glories/10449257/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/the-recent-australian-gp-form-history-that-will-boost-ferrari-in-f1-2023/10449455/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/why-piastris-f1-homecoming-will-be-a-landmark-occasion/10449570/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/how-f1s-new-era-has-exposed-the-downside-of-its-most-important-rule/10449931/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Saudi Arabian GP ](/f1/news/whats-next-for-mercedes-in-the-quest-to-get-back-to-the-top-of-f1/10449981/) Following Friday's messy sessions the loss of track time was even more costly for Perez than usual. [F1 Formula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/live-f1-australian-gp-commentary-and-updates-fp3-qualifying-10451152/10451152/) [F1 Formula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/f1-australian-gp-verstappen-leads-alonso-in-final-practice/10451255/)

It quickly became apparent that the lack of live GPS tracking was creating the main safety issue, with drivers unaware of cars appearing behind them at high ...

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-drivers-are-the-least-of-ferraris-f1-worries/10448581/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/ranking-the-top-10-pre-war-grand-prix-drivers/10447980/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-state-of-play-in-f1s-technical-silly-season/10449298/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-cycle-of-f1-upheaval-williams-must-end-to-rediscover-past-glories/10449257/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/how-f1s-new-era-has-exposed-the-downside-of-its-most-important-rule/10449931/) So, I think it's a bit of a safety thing.

Express Sport brings you the latest news and updates from the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

But 2009 F1 world champion Button said “maybe George did get lucky” in Jeddah as he backed Hamilton to close the gap at Albert Park. The Spaniard was quickest ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc as the rain poured down at Albert Park. It was a decision that saw the former F1 race director vilified. That is the fastest car I have seen, especially compared to the rest." Speaking in the team principal’s press conference, Horner said: “It's absolutely ludicrous to be doing the first sprint race of the year in a street race like Azerbaijan. The Dutchman's car looked a level above as it opened up its rear wing to easily overtake Hamilton down the pit straight. And an unusual decision from Masi ultimately cost the Mercedes star the crown. He and [Nico] Rosberg were a minute ahead in 2014 and 2015... Hamilton has finished fifth in both races this season and is already 23 points behind Max Verstappen in the Drivers' standings after a disastrous opening race for the W14. Meanwhile, there have been three virtual safety car periods and two red flags, making it one of the most dangerous circuits on the calendar. [Max Verstappen's ](/latest/max-verstappen) [Red Bull](/latest/red-bull) and even [Fernando Alonso](/latest/fernando-alonso) in the Aston Martin have shown more competitiveness on the track so far this season, while Ferrari's true pace remains a mystery. Christian Horner has criticised the FIA for an “absolutely ludicrous” decision which could affect Max Verstappen.

In another chaotic practice session in Melbourne, Max Verstappen was fastest earlier today - 0.162 seconds than Fernando Alonso in second. Esteban Ocon was ...

Charles Leclerc - who [won comfortably in Melbourne last year](https://www.independent.co.uk/f1/australian-grand-prix-result-leclerc-verstappen-hamilton-b2054849.html) - could only manage seventh for Ferrari in Jeddah, with Carlos Sainz sixth. Also out: Zhou, Sargeant and Bottas all the way down in P19. Perez in P20. [Sergio Perez](/topic/sergio-perez) [won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix two weeks ago](/f1/f1-result-saudi-arabia-grand-prix-perez-alonso-b2304009.html), with team-mate [Max Verstappen](/topic/max-verstappen) second, though the Dutchman did claim the fastest lap bonus-point meaning he leads the World Championship by one point. [Fernando Alonso](/topic/fernando-alonso) came home third, after Aston Martin [appealed a penalty](/f1/f1-fernando-alonso-podium-penalty-saudi-arabia-b2304039.html) which resulted in the Spaniard originally being knocked off the podium, while the Mercedes duo of George Russell and [Lewis Hamilton](/topic/lewis-hamilton) finished fourth and fifth respectively. [Australian Grand Prix](/topic/australian-grand-prix), with qualifying taking place on Saturday morning at 6am (BST).

It was Max Verstappen on top at the end of an eventful FP3, especially for Sergio Perez...

Formula 1 chiefs are constantly looking for ways to make the weekend action more exciting and appealing to fans, but the changes have not gone down well ...

"But that's part of the challenge and it's part of the task that we've got. However, he also had a complaint regarding the decision to hold the first such event of the year in Baku. The first Sprint weekend of 2023 will be in Baku at the end of April. I naturally, of course, hope that there won't be too many changes – otherwise I won't be around for too long." But Verstappen has made it clear he is not on board with such a plan. This year, the programme has been extended to six Grands Prix of the 23.

Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen led Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin in final practice for the Australian Grand Prix.

Rookie Oscar Piastri was 14th in his McLaren ahead of his first qualifying session in front of his home crowd, but team-mate Lando Norris propped up the times – Norris sitting out the final 20 minutes of the session as McLaren took “precautionary measures” in inspecting a potential clutch issue on his car. Sainz also had a trip into the gravel five minutes after the session ended as he went into the gravel at Turn 11, shortly after his practice start. Carlos Sainz spent a good chunk of the session at the top of the times but was shuffled back to seventh once drivers attempted qualifying simulation runs following the mid-session red flag – shown after debris flew off the AlphaTauri of Nyck de Vries and landed in what Sainz’s team-mate Leclerc (who was 13th in FP3) described as a “very dangerous” place on the approach to the fast Turn 9/10 Esses. Lewis Hamilton was eighth in the second Mercedes, with Stroll’s ninth-placed Aston followed by Zhou Guanyu – who a lap after elevating himself into the top 10 had a spin at Turn 2 as he tried to rejoin, having missed the apex at the first corner by some margin. But Perez struggled under braking for much of the remainder of the session – complaining of a “very loose rear” – and when he finally conquered Turn 3, the corner he’d found most difficult, he then went off at the penultimate corner late on. Having spent the first 20 minutes of the session in the garage, Perez had his first timed attempt on softs wrecked when he came across Nico Hulkenberg on the racing line, before being squeezed towards the wall innocuously by the Haas towards the Turn 11 right-hander. He eventually hauled the car into the top 10 but ended the session 0.558s off his pacesetting team-mate Verstappen. Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll – ninth in the FP3 classification – were able to work down to low-1m22s laptimes on their race simulations in the brief window afforded to them before a mid-session red flag; this compared favourably to the Ferraris that led the session at that point, with Charles Leclerc’s best in this spell a 1m22.538s. But once equipped with softs he hit the front in the final quarter of an hour of the 60-minute session, setting a 1m17.565s that stands as the best time of the weekend so far. But the Aston Martin again looked strong – most notably on the change of direction between the Turn 9/10 Esses – and that visual impression carried over on both single-lap pace and the long runs. Verstappen was fourth early on and later bumped down onto the fringes of the top 10 having set his best initial time on medium compound tyres – which he also used for his long-run simulation midway through the session. Formula 1 championship leader Max Verstappen led Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin in final practice for the Australian Grand Prix, as the second Red Bull of Sergio Perez struggled to string together a lap in his RB19.

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has denied claims he wants to scrap practice sessions. Domenicali made headlines ahead of the Australian Grand Prix when he ...

Of course, there needs to be the time for practice. [Stream the biggest moments on NOW](https://www.nowtv.com/promo/sky-sports?dcmp=articlelink) [F1 Academy to race exclusively at Formula 1 weekends in 2024](https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/12846027/f1-academy-all-female-racing-series-to-feature-exclusively-at-formula-1-weekends-in-2024) "It's not because we don't respect the traditions, we respect the old way of thinking of our weekend, but it would be wrong not to think about it." Domenicali says it would be "wrong" not to think about making changes to engage the growing audience. Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali denies practice could be dropped; F1 boss says practice here to stay but that it would be "wrong" not to consider changes; watch Australian GP Qualifying live on Sky Sports F1 at 6am on Saturday, build-up from 5.15am Stefano Domenicali says F1 practice sessions to stay but it would be 'wrong' not to consider changes

'Holy smokes': Shock contender amid Aussie rule breach drama, Red Bull woes - F1 LIVE.

“I fully believe (that) and certainly when I came to the team, things were very different. Some cars continued to run on the dry tyres but failed to improve their times at all. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (+1.319) “We respect each other. And I think that’s something good to have as a driver. 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. Last year, he was definitely more at home within the car and two of our 17 victories he achieved. “Well, that’s the first I’ve heard him saying that,” Horner said. Pierre Gasly, Alpine (+0.529) Esteban Ocon, Alpine (+0.373) Practice is over for Lando.” “This is not entirely scheduled because there’s a very slim chance of rain and we lost Practice 2 essentially ...

Catch up on how all the action unfolded in the final practice session ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.

As it turned out, it was part of Nyck de Vries’ engine cover which had fallen off, the FIA heading down to the AlphaTauri garage in pursuit of an explanation, while Perez’s latest attempt at a flying lap ended with a trip over the gravel at Turn 3 as the track went green again. And as the session ticked past halfway there was another obstruction for all in the form of a red flag with debris on the track at Turn 9, someone seemingly having given the wall a major whack. [Why Sergio Perez feels ready to take on Max Verstappen for 2023 title fight](https://www.planetf1.com/news/sergio-perez-ready-take-on-max-verstappen-2023-title/) [Toto Wolff warns fans not to expect ‘miracles’ before Imola upgrades](https://www.planetf1.com/news/toto-wolff-mercedes-upgrades-timeline/) [Charles Leclerc hails progress made at Ferrari after ‘most positive’ practice of 2023](https://www.planetf1.com/news/charles-leclerc-ferrari-most-positive-practice-2023/) Perez tried to join the action after an extended stay in the garage to start his session, but his opening lap was wrecked when he came across the Haas of Nico Hulkenberg dawdling on the racing line, who almost proceeded to collect the Red Bull driver as he cut across his path. It was not only the weather which restricted running yesterday though, as a GPS issue in the opening session only added to the losses. No rain around this time for the drivers, at first anyway, meaning it was a busy track from the very start in FP3 as the teams and drivers made up for Friday’s lost time.

Cool temperatures in Melbourne saw the drivers opt to take multiple laps on the same tyres throughout the session, but it was Max Verstappen who took pole ...

7 Charles Leclerc Ferrari + 0.637 6 Lance Stroll Aston Martin + 0.576 5 Carlos Sainz Ferrari + 0.538 4 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin + 0.407 3 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes + 0.372 2 George Russell Mercedes + 0.236

Qualifying is under way at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix as the battle for grid positions at Albert Park intensifies.

[Lando Norris](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/lando-norris/) ( [McLaren](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-teams/mclaren/)) [Valtteri Bottas](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/valtteri-bottas/) (Alfa Romeo) [Alfa Romeo](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-teams/alfa-romeo-racing-orlen/)) [Kevin Magnussen](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/kevin-magnussen/) (Haas) [Yuki Tsunoda](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/yuki-tsunoda/) (AlphaTauri) [Esteban Ocon](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/esteban-ocon/) (Alpine) [Haas](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-teams/haas-f1-team/)): +1.003 [Pierre Gasly](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/pierre-gasly/) (Alpine): +0.943 [Carlos Sainz](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/carlos-sainz/) ( [Ferrari](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-teams/scuderia-ferrari/)): +0.538 [Williams](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-teams/williams-racing/)): +0.877 [Charles Leclerc](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/charles-leclerc/) (Ferrari): +0.647 [Lance Stroll](https://www.gpfans.com/en/f1-drivers/lance-stroll/) (Aston Martin): +0.576

Here's a full look at how the results played out in Saturday's qualifying session at Albert Park.

Formula One heads Down Under this week for a trip around Melbourne's Albert Park in the Australian Grand Prix.

If Red Bull are going to come unstuck anywhere, it is here. [Max Verstappen](/topic/max-verstappen) leads the world championship by a fine margin after recovering from a breakdown in qualifying to finish second, ahead of Fernando Alonso despite the Spaniard’s post-race penalty saga. Max Verstappen took pole position for Red Bull.

The World Championship contender, driving for Red Bull, made a fatal mistake in qualifying.

If that proves to be the more dominant tyre, that could prove to be crucial in the race tomorrow.” “Max was up to P2 halfway into the race in Jeddah - stay out of trouble. Trying to ensure if there is something it’s not there tomorrow.”

Max Verstappen beat Mercedes pair George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to top qualifying for Formula 1's 2023 Australian Grand Prix, while Sergio Perez slid off ...

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/why-drivers-are-the-least-of-ferraris-f1-worries/10448581/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/ranking-the-top-10-pre-war-grand-prix-drivers/10447980/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-state-of-play-in-f1s-technical-silly-season/10449298/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-cycle-of-f1-upheaval-williams-must-end-to-rediscover-past-glories/10449257/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/the-recent-australian-gp-form-history-that-will-boost-ferrari-in-f1-2023/10449455/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/why-piastris-f1-homecoming-will-be-a-landmark-occasion/10449570/) [Nyck de Vries](https://www.autosport.com/driver/nyck-de-vries/841508/) did not do likewise as he was eliminated in 15th for [AlphaTauri](https://www.autosport.com/team/alphatauri-36471/36471/), after he had escaped Q1 for the first time in his debut season with the Red Bull sister squad. [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/how-f1s-new-era-has-exposed-the-downside-of-its-most-important-rule/10449931/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Saudi Arabian GP ](/f1/news/whats-next-for-mercedes-in-the-quest-to-get-back-to-the-top-of-f1/10449981/) [F1 Formula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/alonso-hails-best-qualifying-of-f1-2023-despite-being-behind-mercedes/10451454/) [F1 Formula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/leclerc-blames-own-driving-and-sainz-miscommunication-for-poor-australian-f1-qualifying/10451471/) [F1 Formula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/russell-mercedes-to-go-for-it-attempting-to-beat-verstappen-in-australian-gp/10451496/)

Max Verstappen saw off a spirited Mercedes fightback to put his Red Bull on pole position for the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen beat George Russell to ...

10) McLaren - 0 points It will be broadcasted on ESPN in the United States. Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate [Sergio Perez](/topic/sergio-perez) starts last after he crashed out.

Perez failed to qualify for the Australian Grand Prix after failing to set a time in Saturday's session, leaving the F1 stewards with a decision to make ...

The Mexican was clearly not in a good mood as he faced the TV cameras after qualifying and refused to disclose what the problem is on his car. We have to work together as a team to make sure that we overcome this problem and fix it for tomorrow." But difficulties in both practice and qualifying have brought him back down to earth, while [the Dutchman is on pole in Melbourne](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/breaking-australian-gp-qualifying-report-29603973). [Perez beached his car in the gravel](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/formula-1/breaking-sergio-perez-qualifying-australia-29603985), causing the session to be red-flagged. [Red Bull](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/red-bull-f1) just seconds into his first attempt at a flying lap. That has now been confirmed by the Stewards in Melbourne.

F1 fans have been hit with a range of jokes on April Fools Day.

A year later, future MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo suggested he was set to sign for Mercedes as the team’s test driver. However, Pitpass claims the suggestion was “nonsense” as Vegas organisers are not paying a hosting fee to bosses. They even appointed F1 legend David Coulthard and former Renault star Jolyon Palmer to help them out with the social media video. Happy April Fools” alongside a range of laugh emoticons. His Mercedes team even joined in, reacting to his message with a shocked face and joked they had almost believed him. The surprises range from

Max Verstappen will start from pole position after topping qualifying for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Here's how and when you can watch the race.

[PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/ranking-the-top-10-pre-war-grand-prix-drivers/10447980/) [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-state-of-play-in-f1s-technical-silly-season/10449298/) For the entire 2023 F1 season, Channel 4 will broadcast highlights of every qualifying and race of each event. [PlusPlusFormula 1 ](/f1/news/the-cycle-of-f1-upheaval-williams-must-end-to-rediscover-past-glories/10449257/) [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/the-recent-australian-gp-form-history-that-will-boost-ferrari-in-f1-2023/10449455/) Pre-race coverage will start at 4:30am BST on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event, ahead of the race start at 6:00am BST. In the United Kingdom, Channel 4 is broadcasting highlights of the Australian GP at 12:30pm BST on Sunday. [Carlos Sainz](https://www.autosport.com/driver/carlos-sainz/829244/), with the sister Aston Martin of [Lance Stroll](https://www.autosport.com/driver/lance-stroll/840484/) in sixth in front of [Charles Leclerc](https://www.autosport.com/driver/charles-leclerc/840485/). Current weather forecasts predict warm and dry conditions at Albert Park, with a gentle breeze and a very low chance of rain. [PlusPlusFormula 1Australian GP ](/f1/news/why-piastris-f1-homecoming-will-be-a-landmark-occasion/10449570/) Sky Sports can also be accessed through NOW with a one-off day payment of £11.98 or a month membership of £34.99 per month. Live streaming through NOW is also available in the UK.

F1 fans were able to recognise Sebastian Vettel from the throwback picture but had trouble working out who the other youngster was.

He has been taken on by Haas this season and will be hoping that the move to the team will help him bolster his chances of success. Vettel has been involved in motorsport since a very young, with a picture recently being shared of him celebrating a Kart Championship as a child. Vettel retired at the end of the 2022 season, concluding a career filled with success and records.

DRIVERS 1 – Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull Racing) 2 – George RUSSELL (Mercedes) 3 – Lewis HAMILTON (Mercedes) TRACK INTERVIEWS(Conducted by Naomi Schiff) Q: Max, ...

In the race normally, of course it all stabilises after one lap, and then it's not a problem but it definitely makes it a bit more tricky to get the most out of it in qualifying whereas some other tracks you at one point understand a bit what you have to do more or less on an out lap and then you nail it on one lap. LH: No, but I think, like you said, I think this gives everyone in the team a boost and a glimpse of hope and this will spur everyone on and will inspire everyone to continue to push. LH: I've not read them so I don't know what the rule is exactly, but I do think we constantly need to be evolving and assessing what we're doing. We know that if we can just bring a little bit of performance we can close the gap to the front. And even if you change the format, I don't find it's the DNA of Formula 1 to do these kinds of Sprint races. Arriving to the track, having action every single day, also for fans in the crowd, I think just watching cars circulating in practice, I don't think it's as exciting as when you have a qualifying session like this or a Sprint race. You know, when you get those tyres in the sweet spot, you make a big jump, and I think even I improved four-tenths maybe on my last, my last run in Q3. We saw you behind the Haas, I think it was Hülkenberg, ahead of those final corners, ahead of your last run in Q3. But again, it's all about just having the tyres in the right window, and I guess they did a good job with that as well. Q: And Lewis, at one point in that session, you were top of the timesheets, probably doing a little rain dance at that moment. I think that has been a bit the story again the whole week. Up until then it was just really tricky to find the grip and to try to nail it on one lap.

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has cautioned that the team shouldn't swing towards "exuberance" after a strong qualifying performance at the Australian GP.

But they are balancing the car on that razor's edge, and they were able to extract that today." "I think it was just a brilliant job done by the team here in extracting the maximum out of the car," he said. "And obviously it's not where we want to be. I think what you need to love in this sport is that with all the lows you have, you also have some highs. "So we have never had any dogma on what the car needs to look like. "This is exactly the swings that we must avoid," he said.

Following the recent Formula One commission in Bahrain there has been a renewed push to create more competitive track sessions during a typical race weekend ...

I really enjoy the sprint races and having action on a Friday, I think, is vital for all of us and also for the entertainment factor.” “F1 is about getting the most out of it in qualifying and have an amazing Sunday over a long race distance. “With the cars that are in parc fermé – so, very limited possibility for the teams to react to any change. “I wasn’t in favour of the sprint races initially, but having done – how many have we done now? Currently a Sprint weekend sees the regular FP1 session on Friday followed by qualifying which determines the order for the Sprint start on Saturday afternoon. For 2023 this has been doubled to six Sprints and the first is next time out in Azerbaijan.