Leclerc takes pole in Melbourne

Sports Desk, Apr 9 (EFE).- Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on Saturday took pole position for the Australian Grand Prix, the third race of the season.

The overall world championship leader covered posted a time of 1:17.868s at the Albert Park semi-urban circuit in Melbourne to secure his second pole this season and the 11th of his career.

“The free practice sessions were quite messy for me, but in Q3 I managed to put everything together, so it feels great,” the Monegasque driver told F1 media afterwards.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was 0.286s off the pace and will start in second, just ahead of his teammate Sergio Perez, who will start Sunday’s race from the second row, alongside McLaren’s Lando Norris.

“For me, this weekend so far has been all over the place. I’m happy to be second, but as a team we want more,” Verstappen, the reigning world champion said.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, whose start to the season has been far from ideal, was fifth fastest with a time of one minute and 18.825s, just ahead of his teammate George Russell.

McLaren’s Daniel Ricciardo was seventh, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon, Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) and Fernando Alonso (Alpine).

Alonso, a two-time world champion, crashed out of Q3 with nearly seven minutes left in the session. EFE

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