Van Gisbergen on pole for Albert Park opener

The Red Bull Holden Racing Team has locked out the front-row of the grid for the opening race of the Beaurepaires Melbourne 400.

In the first of two 10-minute qualifying sessions this afternoon, Shane van Gisbergen and Jamie Whincup immediately jumped to the top and would not be knocked off.

Van Gisbergen set the fastest time with a 1:55.2240s, less than a tenth ahead of his teammate who completed his lap despite hitting the outside wall exiting Turn 10.

"I think I've bent a rim," said Whincup post-session. "There was a vibration, so hopefully it's a rim and we put another set of tyres on it and it's gone."

Will Davison maintained his early season form to be Red Bull HRT’s nearest challenger, ahead of fellow Ford drivers Scott McLaughlin and Andre Heimgartner.

Fifth was an impressive showing for the Kelly Racing #7 Mustang after it battled brake troubles throughout Practice 2.

Anton De Pasquale was sixth, well ahead of 17th-placed teammate David Reynolds, who lost his first time due to exceeding track limits and struggled through his second effort.

Nick Percat, Cameron Waters, Lee Holdsworth and Chaz Mostert rounded out the 10.

"That's the first lap I've completed on a soft tyre this weekend," noted Mostert.

"We knew it was always going to be a tough slog, but I'm probably a little bit disappointed to be honest."

Alex Davison was 20th in his first ARMOR ALL Qualifying session since 2017, while first-event rookie Jake Kostecki was 23rd and last after suffering a similar fate as Reynolds.

The Team CoolDrive Holden of Macauley Jones is out of action this afternoon following a big practice crash caused by a suspected brake failure.

A second ARMOR ALL Qualifying session will get underway at 4:30pm local time to set the grid for the first of two Saturday races.