Australian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen Poles In Qualifying As Lewis Hamilton Calls Race His "Worst Session"

 

Max Verstappen is on pole for the third successive time this season after winning the Australian Grand Prix qualifying session whilst Ferrari's Carlos Sainz followed in second place. 

Home favourite, Daniel Ricciardo could not live up to expectations on home grid and he was penalised for infringing track limit in Q1. Lewis Hamilton also could not make to the final quarter of the race for finishing in 11th position in Q2. Likewise, Sergio Perez will drop three-place from P3 to P6 for penalty over impeding Nico Hulkenberg in Q1. 

Finishing second was impressive for Sainz. He had just been operated on days ahead of the race, and since Perez is served three-place penalty, his team-mate Charles Leclerc will move one-place up to fourth behind McLaren Lando Norris. Sainz didn't participate in Saudi Arabia Grand Prix over appendicitis and was replaced by Oliver Bearman.

"From missing the race in Jeddah to this P2 in two weeks, it's been an interesting journey," said Sainz recalling his treatment for appendicitis. "We have managed to progress steadily session after session, knowing that the target was to arrive as prepared as possible for qualifying."

For Hamilton, it was really disappointing and worried about his performance which he believed was one of the "worst sessions" of his career. He described his car as such that is on "knife edge" and that he said really "messes" with his mind.