RUSSELL TAKES POLE AS MERCEDES LOCK FRONT ROW IN AUSTRALIA.

George Russell secured pole position for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix
as Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team locked out the front row in
qualifying.
Russell set the fastest lap at Albert Park Circuit with a time of 1:18.518, finishing
ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli. Isack Hadjar was third for Red Bull Racing.
Charles Leclerc qualified fourth for Scuderia Ferrari, followed by Oscar Piastri and
defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren F1 Team.
Meanwhile, four-time world champion Max Verstappen crashed out in Q1 and failed
to record a lap time.