He beat the Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton into second and third, a great result for the team who are struggling this season. Changing for a set of new tyres, the final laps were tense with rain expected. With his teammate out of the running Verstappen enjoyed an advantage however and once more went quicker on the final runs as the clock clicked down. His final lap was enough to secure pole with a 1min 16.732secs but behind him the two Mercedes drivers enjoyed their best session of the season. He now has 22 poles but this is first in Australia, a circuit where he has yet to take a win. “I think the last run was very good,” said Verstappen. Very happy with the lap and delighted to be in pole position.”.

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