Lando Norris Claims Pole Position At Melbourne Grand Prix, Mclaren Dominates Front Row

Lando Norris clinched pole position on Saturday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri as McLaren fired a warning shot to their rivals.

In scorching hot conditions at Melbourne's Albert Park, world champion Max Verstappen came third in tense qualifying.

Mercedes ' George Russell will keep Red Bull's four-time world champion company on the second row. Lewis Hamilton will start in eighth on his Ferrari debut.

'It's the perfect way to start the year. A big congrats to the team, everyone has done an amazing job to start with a one-two,' said Norris after his 10th career pole.

'But it is just quali, right? Let's see tomorrow,' he added.