George Russell set the fastest time during a dramatic Q1 session of qualifying at the Australian Grand Prix, putting Mercedes at the top of the timesheets.
The session at the Albert Park Circuit was interrupted by a red flag after Max Verstappen crashed into the barriers early in Q1. The incident halted qualifying while marshals cleared debris and checked the barriers.
When the session resumed, drivers rushed back onto the track to complete flying laps before the cutoff. Russell delivered a strong lap to go fastest, giving Mercedes an early boost at the season-opening race weekend.
The result marked a notable moment for Mercedes, particularly as teams are still adapting to the new technical regulations introduced for the 2026 Formula One season.
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s crash means the reigning champion is unlikely to progress further in qualifying, potentially leaving him with a difficult starting position for Sunday’s race in Melbourne.