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Australian Grand Prix Qualifying: Formula One live updates, highlights, blog

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Roar Guru
9th April, 2022
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After two years without any grand prix racing on familiar shores, Formula One returns to Melbourne for the sorely missed Australian Grand Prix. Join The Roar for all the qualifying action from Albert Park from 4pm (AEST).

2022 sees the Australian Grand Prix come in as the third round of the championship, with two races having already been contested in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

Regardless, the hype to see racing at the 5.2km Albert Park circuit is justified.

Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez have split the pole positions thus far in 2022, with the latter having claimed pole last time out in Saudi Arabia – a first in the decade plus career of the Mexican.

What could be the fastest ever qualifying in Melbourne comes because of the various changes made to the circuit since 2019. The key differences are the removal of the Turn 9 and 10 chicanes to create a longer full throttle section along the lake. A record four DRS zones should also see blistering pace throughout the qualifying hour.

Pirelli have also brought the C5 compound as its soft tyre, specifically for qualifying and with the removal of the rule of the top ten qualifiers only allowed to start the race on their fastest tyre from Q2, there is excitement for a proper time attack.

As always, the qualifying hour is split into three stages where in each the slowest five cars are eliminated and those drivers will start the race from that position. The top ten in the final 12 minutes of qualifying will vie for pole position.

Ferrari dominated Friday’s practice sessions, with Carlos Sainz becoming the first driver to record a lap-time in the 1:19s during the first session. Teammate Leclerc ended second practice a comfortable 0.245-seconds clear of Max Verstappen, setting up what should be another fascinating battle between Ferrari and Red Bull for pole.

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Alpine outshone the likes of Mercedes to be the third-fastest car at the end of Friday, thanks to a sensational lap from former Australian Grand Prix winner Fernando Alonso. A comfortable Q3 beckons for the French team perhaps, ahead of Alfa Romeo, AlphaTauri and a surprisingly faster McLaren.

Home favourite Daniel Ricciardo graced the top ten in both sessions, with the Aussie’s target for qualifying firmly a Q3 berth. Something that sadly the 32-year old has not accomplished yet in 2022.

And with practice now done and dusted, it is time to see the Formula One cars set the ultimate pace, so be sure to tune into The Roar’s live blog updates from Albert Park for qualifying ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

Qualifying Information

Lights out: 4pm (AEST)

Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne

TV: Fox Sports, Channel 10

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Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, 10 Play

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