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.
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
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, 10 Play
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey Jawad. Should be a great race, really looking forward to it. I'll be watching it, even if it means missing the footy. Leclerc is really challenging Max, good to see someone other than Mercedes up the front. Hope Dan can get on the podium, McLaren has improved by the looks of it.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Just found this. I’ll be following this tomorrow. Great day of qualifying. Brutal conditions in the cockpit for the drivers. Amazing final session.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
It seems no one except LeClerc and maybe McLaren is happy. The track and cars are different and they haven't quite dialed in. Sainz would be the maddest after the Red Flag came out when he was around 100m short of the line. Aston Martin has been in a downward spiral since Perez departed and the fall is getting steeper rather than leveling out. They're in contention with Williams now for last place after expecting to be closing in on the top three teams. Vettel is an ongoing disaster. He needs to turn things around drastically for himself and Aston Martin. It promises to be a highly entertaining race. Judging by the sun level it should be starting 15 minutes earlier.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Well that about wraps up this live blog for qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Be sure to tune in tomorrow on The Roar for a 3pm AEST race start and some build up, as we get set for the first Aus Grand Prix since 2019! Until then, have a great night.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Thoughts on that qualifying sessions then?
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Verstappen saying that he's not been comfortable with the car all weekend, but Leclerc said that the Red Bull long run pace in FP2 was pretty strong. An interesting race awaits us tomorrow then!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
QUALIFYING RESULTS 1. Charles Leclerc - 1:17.868 2. Max Verstappen - 1:18.154 3. Sergio Perez - 1:18.240 4. Lando Norris - 1:18.703 5. Lewis Hamilton - 1:18.825 6. George Russell - 1:18.933 7. Daniel Ricciardo - 1:19.032 8. Esteban Ocon - 1:19.061 9. Carlos Sainz - 1:19.408 10. Fernando Alonso - No Time 11. Pierre Gasly – 1:19.226 12. Valtteri Bottas – 1:19.410 13. Yuki Tsunoda – 1:19.424 14. Guanyu Zhou – 1:20.155 15. Mick Schumacher – 1:20.155 16. Alex Albon – 1:20.135 17. Kevin Magnussen – 1:20.254 18. Sebastian Vettel – 1:21.149 19. Nicholas Latifi – 1:21.372 20. Lance Stroll – No Time
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
CHARLES LECLERC CLAIMS POLE POSITION FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX Max Verstappen comes up second best, 0.286-seconds adrift of the Ferrari and Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull was third fastest. Lando Norris also improved to fourth quickest, while Daniel Ricciardo was seventh behind the Mercedes cars.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
LECLERC INTO THE 1:17s! 1:17.686 is the fastest time for the Ferrari and that should be pole position.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Q3 CHECQUERED FLAG
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Verstappen goes to the top on a 1:18.154!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Leclerc sets another fastest first sector.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Verstappen now starts a flying lap.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Under two minutes now remain!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Perez closes to within 0.001!
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Russell improves to only eighth.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Perez starts his flier, he is currently 0.159 off Leclerc's fastest lap.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Russell unhappy about Hamilton backing him up. But they both start their flying laps.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Mercedes the first to go onto the track.
Jawad Yaqub
Roar Guru
Q3 6:58 TO GO GREEN LIGHT