George Russell hailed his "mighty" Mercedes car after claiming a dominant pole position at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, after Max Verstappen crashed out.

It was the perfect start for Mercedes in the first qualifying of a new era in Formula One, as they clinched a one-two, with Kimi Antonelli set to start alongside Russell on the grid.

The Brit led his team-mate by 0.363 seconds, and was 0.785secs clear of Isack Hadjar, who impressed on his Red Bull debut, in third place.

There had initially been a nervous wait for Mercedes when Antonelli's participation in the session was put in major doubt after his huge crash in the final practice, but they repaired the car just in time for him to get back on the track in the closing stages of Q1.

And the Italian avoided a grid penalty in a dramatic day. Having released his car onto the track in an unsafe condition – with the cooling fan on the car – Mercedes have been fined, but Antonelli will still start from second.

"It was a great day. We knew there was a lot of potential in the car, but until we get to this first Saturday of the season, you never know, but it really came alive this afternoon," Russell said.

"As the track temperature cooled, we tend to favour those conditions. Also, really happy to have Kimi here because it has been such a hard job from the team to deliver this car. They did an amazing job in the garage as well.

"The car is just mighty. It feels more like the Mercedes of the good old days. I was quite relieved when I drove it for the first time."

Some of last year's top drivers struggled to make an impact, with Verstappen crashing out on his final lap, though he has been cleared to race after having X-rays on his wrists.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc will start fourth on the grid, ahead of the McLarens, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, in fifth and sixth, respectively, with Lewis Hamilton marginally further back in seventh.

Racing Bulls pair Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were just behind him, with Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto rounding out the top 10.

Russell remains confident that he can get a strong result from pole after a strong weekend on the track.

"A lot of simple things in the past, like race starts and pit stops, are a hell of a lot more challenging with these new cars," he said. 

"I said: 'Let's just have a clean session because who knows what's going to happen tomorrow'. But we're in the best place we can be."

Qualifying Top 10:

1. George Russell (Mercedes)

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

3. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

6. Lando Norris (McLaren)

7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

8. Liam Lawson (RB)

9. Arvid Lindblad (RB)

10. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)