George Russell vowed to “make hay while the sun shines” after he blitzed his world championship rivals to take a crushing pole position for Sunday’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix. We have a really great engine, but we also have a great car, too, and that hasn’t been highlighted enough. Russell will not have the nerve-jangling prospect of Verstappen in his rear mirrors to contend with following the four-time world champion’s crash. Verstappen lost control of his Red Bull under braking at the opening corner before skipping across the gravel and thudding the barrier. We’re here to win.”Read more Rivals admits Mercedes are ominously fast ahead of F1 season-opener in AustraliaOver at McLaren, Norris’ mood was equally dour.

Source: Irish Independent March 07, 2026 09:45 UTC