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Australian car dealers lose again as court rules in favour of Mercedes-Benz

Australian car dealers lose again as court rules in favour of Mercedes-Benz

The Advertiser09-07-2025
The head of the peak body for car dealers in Australia has slammed a Federal Court appeal decision that found in favour of Mercedes-Benz over dealers unhappy with its move to an agency sales model.
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal, filed in 2024, against a judgement it handed down in 2023.
In that ruling, where it found in favour of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific over a majority (38 of 50) of its franchised dealers, the Court found dealers hadn't been misled about the agency move and that Mercedes-Benz hadn't engaged in unconscionable conduct.
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said it's "bitterly disappointed" by today's decision, particularly as it follows the Supreme Court of Victoria's ruling earlier this year which found General Motors didn't breach its agreement with Australian dealers when it axed the Holden brand in 2020.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It's pushing for the Federal Government to introduce additional protections for automotive franchisees "so that the blueprint created by this court decision is not used by others".
"We welcome the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in this matter. Our focus continues to be on delivering luxury products and services for our valued customers around Australia," said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz.
At the heart of the original case, which commenced in October 2021, was the compensation Mercedes-Benz offered to dealers, although Justice Beach indicated Australian franchise law may once again need to be revisited and potentially modified.
"Australian dealers have been fighting to stop Mercedes-Benz using their power over franchised dealers to force them into one-sided business relationships. Today's decision is a significant blow to that fight which will have detrimental effects on Australia's franchising sector," said AADA CEO James Voortman.
"In handing down today's decision, there is now a clear need to protect Australian franchisees against unfair treatment from franchisors to arbitrarily change business models with no compensation.
"The presiding Judge in the original court decision clearly articulated the need for further amendments to the Franchising Code to protect the investments dealers make in their businesses.
"Today's decision confirms that current laws in Australia do not adequately protect new car dealers against unfair conduct and particularly are not being supported against unfair decisions being made in head office overseas.
"It is imperative that the Federal Government moves at speed to implement the commitments it made in the election to protect franchisees against unfair contract terms and unfair trading practices."
The move to an agency retail model resulted in Mercedes-Benz taking ownership of dealership stock, and removing the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change which dealers claimed would drive up prices of new models.
At the time of the initial court action, the 38 dealers were pursuing approximately $650 million in compensation.
Mercedes-Benz isn't the only auto brand to switch to an agency model in Australia, with Honda also doing the same – also resulting in legal action from some of its dealers.
Like Honda, Mercedes-Benz experienced a sales downturn after the switch in January 2022.
Deliveries of vehicles from its Cars division fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315 and then 19,989 in 2024.
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – its best first-half of a year since 2023.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The head of the peak body for car dealers in Australia has slammed a Federal Court appeal decision that found in favour of Mercedes-Benz over dealers unhappy with its move to an agency sales model.
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal, filed in 2024, against a judgement it handed down in 2023.
In that ruling, where it found in favour of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific over a majority (38 of 50) of its franchised dealers, the Court found dealers hadn't been misled about the agency move and that Mercedes-Benz hadn't engaged in unconscionable conduct.
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said it's "bitterly disappointed" by today's decision, particularly as it follows the Supreme Court of Victoria's ruling earlier this year which found General Motors didn't breach its agreement with Australian dealers when it axed the Holden brand in 2020.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It's pushing for the Federal Government to introduce additional protections for automotive franchisees "so that the blueprint created by this court decision is not used by others".
"We welcome the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in this matter. Our focus continues to be on delivering luxury products and services for our valued customers around Australia," said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz.
At the heart of the original case, which commenced in October 2021, was the compensation Mercedes-Benz offered to dealers, although Justice Beach indicated Australian franchise law may once again need to be revisited and potentially modified.
"Australian dealers have been fighting to stop Mercedes-Benz using their power over franchised dealers to force them into one-sided business relationships. Today's decision is a significant blow to that fight which will have detrimental effects on Australia's franchising sector," said AADA CEO James Voortman.
"In handing down today's decision, there is now a clear need to protect Australian franchisees against unfair treatment from franchisors to arbitrarily change business models with no compensation.
"The presiding Judge in the original court decision clearly articulated the need for further amendments to the Franchising Code to protect the investments dealers make in their businesses.
"Today's decision confirms that current laws in Australia do not adequately protect new car dealers against unfair conduct and particularly are not being supported against unfair decisions being made in head office overseas.
"It is imperative that the Federal Government moves at speed to implement the commitments it made in the election to protect franchisees against unfair contract terms and unfair trading practices."
The move to an agency retail model resulted in Mercedes-Benz taking ownership of dealership stock, and removing the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change which dealers claimed would drive up prices of new models.
At the time of the initial court action, the 38 dealers were pursuing approximately $650 million in compensation.
Mercedes-Benz isn't the only auto brand to switch to an agency model in Australia, with Honda also doing the same – also resulting in legal action from some of its dealers.
Like Honda, Mercedes-Benz experienced a sales downturn after the switch in January 2022.
Deliveries of vehicles from its Cars division fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315 and then 19,989 in 2024.
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – its best first-half of a year since 2023.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The head of the peak body for car dealers in Australia has slammed a Federal Court appeal decision that found in favour of Mercedes-Benz over dealers unhappy with its move to an agency sales model.
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal, filed in 2024, against a judgement it handed down in 2023.
In that ruling, where it found in favour of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific over a majority (38 of 50) of its franchised dealers, the Court found dealers hadn't been misled about the agency move and that Mercedes-Benz hadn't engaged in unconscionable conduct.
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said it's "bitterly disappointed" by today's decision, particularly as it follows the Supreme Court of Victoria's ruling earlier this year which found General Motors didn't breach its agreement with Australian dealers when it axed the Holden brand in 2020.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It's pushing for the Federal Government to introduce additional protections for automotive franchisees "so that the blueprint created by this court decision is not used by others".
"We welcome the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in this matter. Our focus continues to be on delivering luxury products and services for our valued customers around Australia," said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz.
At the heart of the original case, which commenced in October 2021, was the compensation Mercedes-Benz offered to dealers, although Justice Beach indicated Australian franchise law may once again need to be revisited and potentially modified.
"Australian dealers have been fighting to stop Mercedes-Benz using their power over franchised dealers to force them into one-sided business relationships. Today's decision is a significant blow to that fight which will have detrimental effects on Australia's franchising sector," said AADA CEO James Voortman.
"In handing down today's decision, there is now a clear need to protect Australian franchisees against unfair treatment from franchisors to arbitrarily change business models with no compensation.
"The presiding Judge in the original court decision clearly articulated the need for further amendments to the Franchising Code to protect the investments dealers make in their businesses.
"Today's decision confirms that current laws in Australia do not adequately protect new car dealers against unfair conduct and particularly are not being supported against unfair decisions being made in head office overseas.
"It is imperative that the Federal Government moves at speed to implement the commitments it made in the election to protect franchisees against unfair contract terms and unfair trading practices."
The move to an agency retail model resulted in Mercedes-Benz taking ownership of dealership stock, and removing the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change which dealers claimed would drive up prices of new models.
At the time of the initial court action, the 38 dealers were pursuing approximately $650 million in compensation.
Mercedes-Benz isn't the only auto brand to switch to an agency model in Australia, with Honda also doing the same – also resulting in legal action from some of its dealers.
Like Honda, Mercedes-Benz experienced a sales downturn after the switch in January 2022.
Deliveries of vehicles from its Cars division fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315 and then 19,989 in 2024.
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – its best first-half of a year since 2023.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
The head of the peak body for car dealers in Australia has slammed a Federal Court appeal decision that found in favour of Mercedes-Benz over dealers unhappy with its move to an agency sales model.
The Federal Court has dismissed an appeal, filed in 2024, against a judgement it handed down in 2023.
In that ruling, where it found in favour of Mercedes-Benz Australia Pacific over a majority (38 of 50) of its franchised dealers, the Court found dealers hadn't been misled about the agency move and that Mercedes-Benz hadn't engaged in unconscionable conduct.
The Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) said it's "bitterly disappointed" by today's decision, particularly as it follows the Supreme Court of Victoria's ruling earlier this year which found General Motors didn't breach its agreement with Australian dealers when it axed the Holden brand in 2020.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
It's pushing for the Federal Government to introduce additional protections for automotive franchisees "so that the blueprint created by this court decision is not used by others".
"We welcome the decision of the Full Court of the Federal Court in this matter. Our focus continues to be on delivering luxury products and services for our valued customers around Australia," said a spokesperson for Mercedes-Benz.
At the heart of the original case, which commenced in October 2021, was the compensation Mercedes-Benz offered to dealers, although Justice Beach indicated Australian franchise law may once again need to be revisited and potentially modified.
"Australian dealers have been fighting to stop Mercedes-Benz using their power over franchised dealers to force them into one-sided business relationships. Today's decision is a significant blow to that fight which will have detrimental effects on Australia's franchising sector," said AADA CEO James Voortman.
"In handing down today's decision, there is now a clear need to protect Australian franchisees against unfair treatment from franchisors to arbitrarily change business models with no compensation.
"The presiding Judge in the original court decision clearly articulated the need for further amendments to the Franchising Code to protect the investments dealers make in their businesses.
"Today's decision confirms that current laws in Australia do not adequately protect new car dealers against unfair conduct and particularly are not being supported against unfair decisions being made in head office overseas.
"It is imperative that the Federal Government moves at speed to implement the commitments it made in the election to protect franchisees against unfair contract terms and unfair trading practices."
The move to an agency retail model resulted in Mercedes-Benz taking ownership of dealership stock, and removing the ability for customers and dealership staff to negotiate on prices – a change which dealers claimed would drive up prices of new models.
At the time of the initial court action, the 38 dealers were pursuing approximately $650 million in compensation.
Mercedes-Benz isn't the only auto brand to switch to an agency model in Australia, with Honda also doing the same – also resulting in legal action from some of its dealers.
Like Honda, Mercedes-Benz experienced a sales downturn after the switch in January 2022.
Deliveries of vehicles from its Cars division fell from 28,348 in 2021 to 26,801 in 2022, before dropping again in 2023 to 24,315 and then 19,989 in 2024.
But there's light at the end of the tunnel, it would appear, with deliveries in the first half of 2025 up 15.9 per cent on the same period last year to 11,146 in total – its best first-half of a year since 2023.
MORE: Everything Mercedes-Benz
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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US steaks on the barbie: Trump smug on Aust beef u-turn
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US steaks on the barbie: Trump smug on Aust beef u-turn

US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway." US President Donald Trump has applauded Australia's relaxation of import restrictions on American beef, adding that other countries that refuse US beef products are on notice. Australia on Thursday said it would loosen biosecurity rules for US beef, something analysts predicted would not significantly increase US shipments because Australia is a major beef producer and exporter whose prices are much lower. Australia plans to take US beef for the "first time," Trump said in a post on Truth Social on Thursday, calling it a "very big market". Canberra has restricted US beef imports since 2003 due to concerns about bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Since 2019, it has allowed in meat from animals born, raised and slaughtered in the US but few suppliers were able to prove that their cattle had not been in Canada and Mexico. Last night, in another post, Trump said the US would "sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that US Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World." "The other Countries that refuse our magnificent Beef are ON NOTICE," the post continued. Trump has attempted to renegotiate trade deals with numerous countries he says have taken advantage of the United States – a characterisation many economists dispute. "For decades, Australia imposed unjustified barriers on US beef," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement, calling Australia's decision a "major milestone in lowering trade barriers and securing market access for US farmers and ranchers". Australia is not a significant importer of beef but the United States is and a production slump is forcing it to step up purchases. Last year, Australia shipped almost 400,000 metric tonnes of beef worth $US2.9 billion ($A4.4 billion) to the United States, with just 269 tonnes of US product moving the other way. Australian officials say the relaxation of restrictions was not part of any trade negotiations but the result of a years-long assessment of US biosecurity practices. On Wednesday, Australia's agriculture ministry said US cattle traceability and control systems had improved enough that Australia could accept beef from cattle born in Canada or Mexico and slaughtered in the United States. The decision has caused some concern in Australia, where biosecurity is seen as essential to prevent diseases and pests from ravaging the farm sector. "We need to know if (the government) is sacrificing our high biosecurity standards just so Prime Minister Anthony Albanese can obtain a meeting with US President Donald Trump," shadow agriculture minister David Littleproud said in a statement. Australia, which imports more from the US than it exports, faces a 10 per cent across-the-board US tariff, as well as 50 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. Trump has also threatened to impose a 200 per cent tariff on pharmaceuticals. Asked whether the change would help achieve a trade deal, Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell said: "I'm not too sure". "We haven't done this in order to entice the Americans into a trade agreement," he said. "We think that they should do that anyway."

Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix
Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix

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Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix

Australia's Formula One leader Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Saturday sprint by nearly half a second at the Belgian Grand Prix while McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris qualified third. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen will join Piastri on the front row for the first race since Christian Horner was dismissed as team boss and replaced with Laurent Mekies. Piastri lapped the Spa-Francorchamps circuit with a best time of one minute 40.510 seconds, 0.477 seconds quicker than Verstappen and 0.618 clear of Norris. He was at risk of being eliminated after straying off track in the second part of the session but bounced back to pip Verstappen, who split the two dominant McLarens by relegating Norris to third, .618 off the pace. "The car's been mega all day," said Piastri, who claimed his first sprint pole of the campaign. "This is a track I love, it's my favourite one of the year and maybe that gave me a couple of extra tenths (of a second)." The Melburnian, who also set the pace in earlier practice, is eight points clear at the top after 12 of 24 rounds. "It was a good lap. A little scare in SQ2 with the lap deletion. But thanks to the team, the car has been great and this is a track I love. Maybe that gave me a couple of extra tenths. "The car has been in a good window since lap one and it is a track I always enjoy coming to. "It is nice to get a result today. "The Red Bulls were very quick in a straight line in practice. That makes life difficult in terms of it being the worst track to have pole position." Ferrari's Charles Leclerc starts fourth but teammate Lewis Hamilton will line up 18th after a difficult afternoon for the seven-times world champion, whose most recent win came at the same circuit last year with Mercedes. The Briton spun on his last flying lap while on course to go through, with the suspicion falling on a failure of the car's rear axle. George Russell, who finished first last year for Mercedes but was then disqualified for an underweight car, also struggled and qualified 13th. McLaren team chief Andrea Stella told Sky Sports: "That was a pretty amazing lap by Oscar, he capitalised on everything available in the car. "An almost perfect session from Oscar, except for the lap deletion in SQ2 which gave us a bit of a moment on the pit wall!"

Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix
Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix

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time2 hours ago

  • West Australian

Piastri secures sprint race pole at Belgium Grand Prix

Australia's Formula One leader Oscar Piastri took pole position for the Saturday sprint by nearly half a second at the Belgian Grand Prix while McLaren teammate and title rival Lando Norris qualified third. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen will join Piastri on the front row for the first race since Christian Horner was dismissed as team boss and replaced with Laurent Mekies. Piastri lapped the Spa-Francorchamps circuit with a best time of one minute 40.510 seconds, 0.477 seconds quicker than Verstappen and 0.618 clear of Norris. He was at risk of being eliminated after straying off track in the second part of the session but bounced back to pip Verstappen, who split the two dominant McLarens by relegating Norris to third, .618 off the pace. "The car's been mega all day," said Piastri, who claimed his first sprint pole of the campaign. "This is a track I love, it's my favourite one of the year and maybe that gave me a couple of extra tenths (of a second)." The Melburnian, who also set the pace in earlier practice, is eight points clear at the top after 12 of 24 rounds. "It was a good lap. A little scare in SQ2 with the lap deletion. But thanks to the team, the car has been great and this is a track I love. Maybe that gave me a couple of extra tenths. "The car has been in a good window since lap one and it is a track I always enjoy coming to. "It is nice to get a result today. "The Red Bulls were very quick in a straight line in practice. That makes life difficult in terms of it being the worst track to have pole position." Ferrari's Charles Leclerc starts fourth but teammate Lewis Hamilton will line up 18th after a difficult afternoon for the seven-times world champion, whose most recent win came at the same circuit last year with Mercedes. The Briton spun on his last flying lap while on course to go through, with the suspicion falling on a failure of the car's rear axle. George Russell, who finished first last year for Mercedes but was then disqualified for an underweight car, also struggled and qualified 13th. McLaren team chief Andrea Stella told Sky Sports: "That was a pretty amazing lap by Oscar, he capitalised on everything available in the car. "An almost perfect session from Oscar, except for the lap deletion in SQ2 which gave us a bit of a moment on the pit wall!"

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