MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Third placed qualifier Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing arrives in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Steven Tee/LAT Images)
The season-opening Australian Grand Prix qualifying session delivered drama, surprises, and a glimpse into Formula 1’s new era. At Albert Park, Isack Hadjar announced himself in style, producing a superb lap to secure third on the grid for Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Starting his second season in Formula 1 and his first as a Red Bull driver, Hadjar showed why his promotion was the right move.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Pole position qualifier George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Second placed qualifier Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team and Third placed qualifier Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing look on during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
In a session dominated by Mercedes duo George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, the Frenchman emerged as “best of the rest,” putting himself in prime position to fight for a second career podium on Sunday.
It was a tougher day for Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, who crashed out in Q1 after a rare mechanical issue locked his rear axle.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive in the garage during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford on track during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Simon Galloway/LAT Images)
He will start from the back in P20, leaving him with a mountain to climb.
Over at Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, the team celebrated a strong start to the new era. Liam Lawson impressed with a lap good enough for P8.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Liam Lawson of New Zealand driving the (30) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 03 RB Ford on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Rookie Arvid Lindblad, just 18 years old, stunned the paddock by qualifying P9 in his first ever F1 session.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Arvid Lindblad of Great Britain driving the (41) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 03 RB Ford in the Pitlane during final practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Sam Bloxham/LAT Images)
Oracle Red Bull Racing
Isack Hadjar – 3rd
“I’m very happy with that result. When I crossed the line on that final lap, I knew it was a good one. It was the perfect start to my career with the team. Going into qualifying, it is not something that we expected, so we can be really happy. We kept improving after every run, from the first lap in Q1 to that final one. The car and I got better each time.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Third placed qualifier Isack Hadjar of France and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrates with teammates in parc ferme during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
We managed to find the consistency that we didn’t have yesterday and throughout I felt a strong car underneath me in both the chassis and power unit. We’ve put ourselves in a strong position for tomorrow and we’ll see what we can do to hold off those behind us.”
Max Verstappen – DNF (20th)
“The crash today was very strange; I hit the brake pedal into turn one and the whole rear axle completely locked. I’m all good, so that is the main thing. I went to the Medical Centre and had a scan on my hands and they are all fine. I need to speak to the team and assess the data to find out what went wrong as I have never experienced this before. Well done to Isack, he did a great job in qualifying.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing prepares to drive during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 07: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (3) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB22 Red Bull Ford on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 07, 2026 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Tomorrow, I will be starting at the back and trying to make my way forwards. Obviously, it isn’t ideal but we can aim for P6 or P7, although I don’t yet know how easy it is to overtake cars.”
Laurent Mekies – CEO and Team Principal
“Qualifying P3 today is a fantastic reward for the team’s hard work tackling these new regulations. It’s a huge moment for Isack, who put in incredible effort over the winter, and we’re proud to see it pay off. Max’s issue was unfortunate, but the most important thing is that he’s okay—we’ll analyze the data carefully. Tonight, we’re proud of everyone in Milton Keynes and grateful to Ford as a partner. Tomorrow will be another big learning day, and we’re focused on building from this strong start.”
