Max Verstappen was fastest in qualifying for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, with the reigning world champion starting from pole position. A surprise was brought by Mercedes: they filled the podium – George Russell on two, and Lewis Hamilton on three.

>> Formula 1 – Everything you need to know about the Australian Grand Prix: RedBull vs the rest of the world

Max Verstappen, pole – George Russell second, Lewis Hamilton third

Verstappen stopped the clock at 1:16.732, followed by Russell (+0.236) and Hamilton (+0.372).

Veteran Fernando Alonso qualified in 4th place, followed by Carlos Sainz Jr., Lance Stroll, Charles Leclerc, Alexandre Albon, Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg.

Know:

• For Max Verstappen, it was pole position number 22 in his entire career.

• The Albert Park Grand Prix will take place on Sunday starting at 08:00 (Romanian time) and will be available to watch live on Digisport, Orange Sport and Prima Sport channels.

Formula 1, pilot ranking

1 Max Verstappen – RedBull 44 points

2 Sergio Perez – RedBull 43

3 Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin 30

4. Carlos Sainz – Ferrari 20

5 Lewis Hamilton – Mercedes 20

6 George Russell – Mercedes 18

7 Lance Stroll – Aston Martin 8

8 Charles Leclerc – Ferrari 6

9 Pierre Gasly – Alpine 4

10 Esteban Ocon – Alpine 4

11 Valtteri Bottas – Alfa Romeo 4

12 Kevin Magnussen – HAAS 1

13 Alexander Albon – Williams 1

14 Yuki Tsunoda – AlphaTauri 0

15 Nico Hulkenberg – HAAS 0

16 Logan Sargent – Williams 0

17 Zhou Guanyu – Aston Martin 0

18 Nick De Vries – AlphaTauri 0

19 Oscar Piastri – McLaren 0

20 Lando Norris – McLaren 0

Formula 1, rating of constructors

1 RedBull 87 points

2 Aston Martin 38s

3 Mercedes 38

4 Ferrari 26s

5 Alpine 8

6 Alfa Romeo 4

7 HAAS 1

8 Williams 1

9 Alpha Tauri 0

10 McLaren 0.

Formula 1 season calendar for 2023

March 5: Bahrain – victory for Max Verstappen

March 19: Saudi Arabia – victory for Sergio Perez

April 2: Australia / Melbourne

April 16: China / Shanghai

April 30: Azerbaijan / Baku

May 7: Miami

May 21: Emilia-Romagna / Imola

May 28: Monaco

June 4: Spain / Barcelona

June 18: Canada / Montreal

July 2: Austria / Spielberg

July 9: Great Britain / Silverstone

July 23: Hungary / Budapest

July 30: Belgium / Spa-Francorchamps

August 27: Netherlands / Zandvoort

September 3: Italy / Monza

September 17: Singapore / Marina Bay

September 24: Japan / Suzuka

October 8: Qatar / Losail

October 22: USA / Austin

October 29: Mexico / Mexico City

November 5: Brazil / Sao Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi / Yas Marina.