Lando Norris set the fastest time in Saturday’s qualifying to claim pole position, while his teammate and local favourite, Oscar Piastri, secured second place.

Four-time consecutive world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull will start the season in third after finishing just under half a second slower than Norris.

Max Verstappen. Photo: Red Bull

Norris, who was the championship runner-up in 2024, set the fastest lap of qualifying in 1:15.096. Piastri was right on his heels with 1:15.180, while Verstappen clocked 1:15.481.

George Russell was the fastest Mercedes driver, setting a time of 1:15.540, while Japan’s Yuki Tsunoda surprised many by qualifying fifth.

Ferrari failed to live up to the pre-season hype following the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Charles Leclerc was the fastest Ferrari driver, qualifying seventh with a time of 1:16.029, while Hamilton will start eighth after posting 1:16.213.

Lewis Hamilton. Photo: Ferrari

Norris was thrilled to set the tone early in the season but acknowledged that securing pole position and winning the race are two very different challenges. “I’m feeling very good! It’s the perfect way to start the year,” said Norris after clinching the first pole position of the season.

“First of all, a big congrats to the team – everyone at McLaren has done an amazing job to continue from where we left off last season and to start with a 1-2. It’s just quality, right? Let’s wait and see tomorrow. I know it’s going to be a tricky race, but today was the perfect way to start.”

Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park will get underway at 06:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg