Max Verstappen will start on pole position for the Australian Grand Prix after beating George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in a fascinating qualifying in Melbourne.
Verstappen topped all three segments of qualifying, but it was far from easy because of the cooling track temperatures and a lack of preparation due to red flags and incidents in each of the practice sessions.
Fernando Alonso took fourth place for Aston Martin, as he looks for a hat-trick of podiums to start his 2023 Formula 1 campaign.
Carlos Sainz was the best of the Ferraris in fifth, with teammate Charles Leclerc in seventh, behind Lance Stroll.
Alex Albon only reached Q3 once in 2023 and has matched that feat with his eighth place for Williams, which puts him ahead of Pierre Gasly and Nico Hulkenberg.
Sergio Perez will start from the back after a nightmare Saturday where he went off several times in FP3 and did so again on his first run in Q3 as he beached his Red Bull in the gravel.
Melbourne weather
It has rained on each of the two days in Melbourne but Sunday is set to be dry with sunny spells when the Australian GP gets underway at 15:00 local time (06:00 UK).
The air temperature will remain stable at 18 degrees celcius throughout the third race of the season, so the track temperature should be around the 28 mark, depending on how sunny it is.
Wind is expected to not be a factor, which will make things easier in the braking zones for the drivers.
It should be a one-stop race due to the low tyre degradation around Albert Park, although the relatively cool temperatures will make tyre warm-up an issue on the opening lap and on the outlaps after a pit stop.
