The second segment of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix concluded with George Russell setting the fastest time and leading the field into the final pole shootout.

Driving for Mercedes, Russell clocked a best lap of 1:18.934, finishing comfortably ahead of Charles Leclerc, who ended the session second. Rookie Kimi Antonelli continued his strong performance by placing third in Q2, completing an impressive recovery weekend after his earlier crash in FP3.

McLaren’s Oscar Piastri finished fourth, followed by Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar and Lando Norris. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton also progressed comfortably into Q3.

The drivers advancing to Q3 were Russell, Leclerc, Antonelli, Piastri, Hadjar, Norris, Hamilton, Lawson, Bortoleto and Hulkenberg.

Meanwhile, six drivers were eliminated at the end of Q2:

Position Driver
P11 Nico Hülkenberg
P12 Oliver Bearman
P13 Esteban Ocon
P14 Pierre Gasly
P15 Alexander Albon
P16 Franco Colapinto

With the field now narrowed to ten drivers, the battle for pole position at the Albert Park Circuit will be decided in the final Q3 session.