THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND Prix is taking place RIGHT NOW in Melbourne!
Max Verstappen is starting on pole after topping qualifying Down Under.
While Lewis Hamilton has finished 5th in both Grand Prix so far and feels that his Mercedes car can't compete with the drivers from Red Bull.
- Start time: 6am UK time
- TV channel/ live stream: Sky Sports F1
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- Kieran Davies
Drivers will need to be so lucky
If they have any hope of dislodging Max Verstappen from first place today that is.
Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue took a stroll through the pit lanes before the race.
Attending the F1 Grand Prix in her hometown, she seemed to be looking forward to this one.
Credit: @F1 - Kieran Davies
Drivers talk tactics before the race
Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso have spent time on the podium together in each race this season so far.
Both drivers will be pleased with their qualifying performances every though the Spaniard was pipped at the end ending up fourth on the grid.
He will be looking to renew his rivalry with the defending world champion today.
Credit: Splash - Kieran Davies
Australian Grand Prix has form
One thing many drivers will be hoping not to see in the race today is the safety car.
However, this is a circuit that has seen it a lot over the years.
In total this race has seen 26 safety car deployments, 3 in last year's race alone.
- Kieran Davies
Drivers hoping for dry race
The forecast for the race today is that it should be sunny and dry for the rest of the weekend.
That being said, no showers were forecast for the qualifying session on Saturday either.
Only the first session enjoyed dry conditions with the rest of practice being heavily affected by rain.
- Kieran Davies
Race to celebrate new contract
Formula 1 announced last year that the Australian Grand Prix will remain in Melbourne until 2035.
The ten-year contract extension was music to the ears of local race fans.
Last year the race attracted 419,000 fans to the Albert Park Circuit, it is plain to see that this is a popular event at its current location.
- Kieran Davies
No complaints from Mercedes this time
The usual build up to the race lately has been Lewis Hamilton complaining about his car is not living up to expectations.
With both Hamilton and Russell finishing at the front of the grid, with only Verstappen ahead of them, it was a rare treat to not hear the usual excuses from the British driver.
He now has to back it up and try and get a long-awaited podium finish in Melbourne, with Mercedes hoping it will help them secure him to a longer contract.
- Kieran Davies
Aston Martin creating expectations
When Fernando Alonso got a podium finish in Bahrain, it was only the constructors second ever.
After his finish in the previous race, along with qualifying performances, we are now at a stage where we are starting to expect a lot from Aston Martin.
With Lance Stroll securing fifth spot on the grid ahead of the Ferraris, it is all set up for them to attack this race with both drivers in prime positions.
- Kieran Davies
Welcome to the Australian Grand Prix
The third F1 race of the season takes place at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix.
Sergio Perez went into qualifying only a point behind defending world champion Max Verstappen after his win in the Saudi Grand Prix.
However, things were not going to pan out the way the Mexican had planned when he crashed out in the first lap of qualifying, meaning he will start the race from the pit lane.
Verstappen’s final lap of qualifying was the fastest of the day and with Fernando Alonso managing a lap only 0.407secs behind his, it looked like a familiar grid was in store.
Mercedes surprised everyone when George Russell and Lewis Hamilton both managed to beat Alonso’s time and book the other two places at the front of the grid.
Russell will start in second position with Hamilton in third and Alonso in fourth.
Lance Stroll managed fifth ahead of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Sergio Perez will be hoping that Red Bull can fix his car and have it back in prime racing form for the race itself, he seemed to be having issues well before crashing off the track.
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