Hamilton on pole in Melbourne in style

Lewis Hamilton took pole at the Australian GP in Melbourne in style. The double world champion beat his teammate Nico Rosberg by almost six tenths by achieving a time of 1'26"327. This is the 39th pole for the Briton in F1 and the 12th in a row for Mercedes F1. The German was at the limit, going slightly off the track during his first attempt in Q3.

Felipe Massa (Williams) also created a surprise by snatching the third position and by getting ahead of Ferrari de Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) is in sixth place ahead Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) and Carlos Sainz Jr. (Toro Rosso). The rookie will start ahead of the Lotus Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado.

The results are mixed for Red Bull. Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull) only took 13th place behind a surprising Felipe Nasr (Sauber) who also finished ahead Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso). The Russian will start in front of the Force Indias of Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Pérez.

McLaren-Honda starts its season very difficult. Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen were the slowest in qualifying, finishing behind the Sauber of Marcus Ericsson in the first qualifying session. Manor F1 Team did not participate in qualifying.

The start of the Australian GP will be given tomorrow at 6 a.m. French time.

Australian GP grid

1. Lewis Hamilton? Mercedes
2. Nico Rosberg? Mercedes
3. Felipe Massa? Williams
4. Sebastian Vettel? Ferrari
5. Kimi Raikkonen? Ferrari
6. Valtteri Bottas? Williams
7. Daniel Ricciardo? Red Bull
8. Carlos Sainz Jr? Toro Rosso
9. Romain Grosjean? Lotus
10. Pastor Maldonado – Lotus
11. Felipe Nasr? Sauber
12. Max Verstappen? Toro Rosso
13. Daniel Kvyat? Red Bull
14. Nico Hulkenberg? Force India
15. Sergio Pérez? Force India
16. Marcus Ericsson? Sauber
17. Jenson Button? McLaren-Honda
18. Kevin Magnussen? McLaren-Honda
19. Will Stevens? Manor
20. Roberto Merhi – Manor