The reigning world champion starts in pole position on Sunday at the Melbourne track for the third round of the 2023 season.
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![Max Verstappen (Red Bull) during qualifying for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix, April 1, 2023. (XAVI BONILLA / AFP)](https://www.francetvinfo.fr/pictures/arpWnA32vvp6_01JKwvJljsmP30/752x423/2023/04/01/64283d14edbe3_066-dppi-00122006-1745.jpg)
After Max Verstappen in Sakhir, then Sergio Pérez in Jeddah, will Red Bull monopolize the start of the 2023 season in Australia a little more? Dutchman Max Verstappen starts the race on Sunday April 2 on the semi-urban circuit of Melbourne, after setting the best time in qualifying. The reigning world champion has a great opportunity to increase his lead in the drivers’ standings, as his teammate Pérez missed out on Saturday and will start last.
However, he will have to be wary of a dense pack, which proved during qualifying that it was capable of getting closer on one lap. The two Mercedes of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton (2nd and 3rd on the grid) will be the main danger at the start, where the fight between the two rivals Hamilton and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin, 4th) is full of promise. Ferrari and its drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc (5th and 7th) will certainly be revengeful, as will Esteban Ocon, 11th at the start after having signed very promising test sessions at the start of the weekend. Follow the race live with commentary.