Mercedes driver George Russell powered to pole position on Saturday for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli, but there was disaster for Max Verstappen as he crashed out even before setting a time in Q1. 

On a fine day at Melbourne’s Albert Park, Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Isack Hadjar came third in a chaotic qualifying, as the pecking order became clearer after the massive regulation shake-up.