Australian Grand Prix LIVE
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia
Lewis Hamilton begins his Formula One world championship title defence in a perfect position after stealing pole ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
But the two Mercedes are likely to face a stern challenge from Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel, who has won the last two Australian Grands Prix at Albert Park.
Hamilton and Vettel went head-to-head in last year's championship, with the German eventually throwing in the towel after a number of indifferent displays towards the business end of the season. But the 30-year-old will be eager to atone for his title slip-up with a third successive win Down Under.
Max Verstappen split the Ferraris as the Red Bull sensation bids to get on the podium after a horror show in Melbourne last year, with Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc starting in fifth.
There was an impressive debut in qualifying from McLaren teenager Lando Norris as he qualified in eighth position, but it was another forgettable session for Williams and George Russell, as they finished five seconds adrift of Hamilton at the back of the grid.
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