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Verstappen secures 'unexpected' pole as Perez penalised – RacingNews365 Review

Catch up with all the major talking points on the second day of the Australian Grand Prix weekend.

Max Verstappen has acknowledged that Ferrari may provide Red Bull with a challenge during the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday. Ferrari entered qualifying as the favourites for pole position, but it was the reigning F1 champion who secured pole position. READ MORE: Verstappen concedes pole lap 'unexpected'

Perez issued Australian GP grid drop

Sergio Perez has lost his third-place starting position for the Australian Grand Prix after being issued with a grid penalty. The Mexican was placed under investigation after allegedly impeding Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying at Albert Park. READ MORE: Perez issued Australian GP grid drop

Dejected Ricciardo shows first flashes of McLaren depths

Perhaps it was expected after losing a lap time in front of his home crowd that unceremoniously dumped him out in Q1 for the Australian Grand Prix, but Daniel Ricciardo cut a broken figure after qualifying in Melbourne. His final flying lap had been good enough to secure a Q2 berth but was quickly deleted for exceeding track limits at Turn 5 meaning he qualified 18th fastest - on the back row of the 19-car field. READ MORE: Dejected Ricciardo shows first flashes of McLaren depths

Full McLaren takeover confirmed

The McLaren Group has had a full takeover by the Sovereign Wealth Fund of Bahrain completed. Shareholders approved a full recapitalisation of the business in December and now this process has finished, with F1 team stakeholder Mumtalakat Holding Company taking full ownership of the share capital. READ MORE: Full McLaren takeover confirmed

Sainz 'in disbelief' at Australia front-row

Carlos Sainz was "almost not believing" his ability to be fighting Max Verstappen for Australian Grand Prix pole position after his comeback from surgery. Ferrari driver Sainz missed Saudi Arabia after having his appendix removed and has been unable to train or drive the simulator since as he recovered from the surgery. READ MORE: Sainz 'in disbelief' at Australia front-row

Lewis Hamilton has conceded a change in wind conditions at Albert Park led to his Mercedes balancing on a "knife-edge" after being eliminated in the second part of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. The seven-time world champion has been on pole position in Melbourne on eight occasions and, despite struggles on Friday, had looked much more comfortable with his W15 in final practice ahead of qualifying. READ MORE: Hamilton: Mercedes 'knife-edge' behind qualifying failure

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aus GP Australië 08 Mar 2026
chn GP China 15 Mar 2026
jpn GP Japan 29 Mar 2026
bhr GP Bahrein 12 Apr 2026
sau GP Saoedi-Arabië 19 Apr 2026
usa GP Miami 03 May 2026
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