The Latest Breaking News from Nico Hulkenberg

In an unusual step, The Australian Grand Prix Corporation was formally summoned to the stewards after the conclusion of a chaotic third round of the 2023 world championship that was red-flagged on three occasions.

The race was halted for the first time on lap nine of 58 owing to a shunt for Alex Albon, who lost the rear of his Williams FW45 through Turn 7 to nose into the wall and bounce back over the kerbs.

The Australian GP was full of incidents and controversy, which continued after its eventual conclusion as Haas launched an official protest of the final classification

Verstappen had dominated most of the proceedings despite losing the initial lead from pole to Mercedes’ George Russell and Hamilton.

Verstappen had dominated most of the proceedings despite losing the initial lead from pole to Mercedes' George Russell and Hamilton, before a first red flag caused by Alex Albon crashing out solo and putting debris and gravel across the road.

Verstappen lost his lead from pole at the start, as the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton passed him in the opening corners. But Verstappen took control after a restart following Alex Albon’s big crash, passing Hamilton using DRS in the ultra-fast section ahead of Turn 9 –…

The reigning world champion saw off both Mercedes drivers to take pole, while Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez skated off track into the gravel in Q1, leaving him to qualify down in last place for the Albert Park race.

After a light rain shower had hit the Albert Park track just ahead of the one-hour session getting underway and with the C4 softs holding on for multiple laps but requiring multiple warm-ups to be at their best, the Melbourne crowd was treated to an action-packed session.

Verstappen will start ahead of the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton after the one-hour qualifying session, which is split into three segments with five cars each being knocked out in Q1 and Q2 before the top-10 shootout of Q3.