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F1 RESULTS: Australian GP reaction as FIA reveal outcome of Haas appeal

Max Verstappen survived a crazy and chaotic finale to win the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s cruise to the chequered flag was placed in danger when the race was stopped in the closing stages after Kevin Magnussen hit the wall and debris littered the track.

Magnussen’s accident set up a two-lap shootout at Melbourne’s Albert Park, but the frantic restart lasted only two corners after Fernando Alonso was sent spinning by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine team-mates’ Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed out. Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant also ended up in the gravel.

The race was red-flagged for a third time before a 33-minute delay followed as the FIA rooted through its rulebook. The order of the previous start was taken up, with Verstappen following the safety car home in an absurd procession to the chequered flag.

Follow live F1 updates from the Australian Grand Prix - the race starts at 6am (BST)

F1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - LIVE UPDATES

  • Max Verstappen wins chaotic Australian Grand Prix; Hamilton 2nd; Alonso 3rd

  • BREAKING: Haas lose their appeal - race result stands

  • Click HERE for the full Australian GP standings

  • Lap 58/58: Carlos Sainz receives five-second penalty in farcical scenes behind the safety car

  • Lap 57/58: RED FLAG! Chaos at end as Alonso crashes out and Alpines slam into each other

  • Lap 56/58: RED FLAG! Kevin Magnussen loses tyre and race stopped

  • Lap 55/58: Max Verstappen leads; Hamilton 2nd; Alonso 3rd

  • Lap 18/58: George Russell OUT of the race after engine blows

  • Lap 13/58: Max Verstappen overtakes Lewis Hamilton and retakes the lead

  • Lap 8/58: Russell pits before safety car and loses lead for no advantage

  • Lap 7/58: RED FLAG! Alex Albon crashes out of race

  • Lap 1/58: Russell takes the lead and Lewis Hamilton also overtakes Verstappen

  • Lap 1/58: Charles Leclerc OUT of the race after contact with Lance Stroll

  • Verstappen sensationally threatened to quit F1 after qualifying on Saturday

Lewis Hamilton delivers reality check after ‘remarkable’ Australian Grand Prix result

16:02 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton hailed a “remarkable” podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix after admitting he is still struggling to get to grips with his Mercedes car.

Hamilton finished second to race winner Max Verstappen in a chaotic race in Melbourne despite continuing to feel “uncomfortable” and being unable to “connect” with his Mercedes.

The result was Hamilton’s best result of the season as the 37-year-old was able to hold off the challenge of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to finish second on the podium.

And there appeared to be further encouraging signs for Mercedes with George Russell fighting at the front of the race before his hopes were dashed by engine failure.

Hamilton’s second place finish extended his streak of 17 seasons with a podium but the seven-time champion delivered a reality check as he discussed how far Mercedes still need to go to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton delivers reality check after ‘remarkable’ Australian Grand Prix result

Max Verstappen blames F1 stewards for ‘mess’ of Australian Grand Prix ending

15:27 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen called the bizarre conclusion to Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix a “confusing mess” and accused Formula One’s stewards of bringing the chaos on themselves.

Verstappen survived the mayhem to take his second victory from the opening three races and extend his championship lead over team-mate Sergio Perez to 15 points.

Lewis Hamilton finished second to claim both his and Mercedes’ first podium of the year, with Fernando Alonso third for Aston Martin. Perez drove back from last to fifth, while George Russell retired with an engine failure.

Verstappen’s first triumph on Melbourne soil was placed in danger on lap 54 of 58 when Kevin Magnussen’s right-rear tyre flew off his Haas after he smashed into the Albert Park wall.

With debris on the asphalt, the stewards stopped the race for a second time following Alex Albon’s earlier smash.

Max Verstappen blames F1 stewards for ‘mess’ of Australian Grand Prix ending

BREAKING - Haas lose their appeal over race result

14:46 , Kieran Jackson

Haas’ protest has been dismissed, the result of the Australian Grand Prix will stand. Nico Hulkenberg remains in P7, as opposed to a potential P4 - and maybe even a P3!

Still a good result for Haas, it has to be said!

Additionally, no further action to be taken on the Ocon-Gasly collision after the two Alpine drivers came together.

We finally have our race result!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The third red flag - a replay

14:30 , Kieran Jackson

Here’s what happened on the chaotic late restart in Melbourne!

FULL CLASSIFICATION

13:59 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen (25 points)

2) Lewis Hamilton (18 points)

3) Fernando Alonso (15 points)

4) Lance Stroll (12 points)

5) Sergio Perez (10 points + 1 point, fastest lap)

6) Lando Norris (8 points)

7) Nico Hulkenberg (6 points)

8) Oscar Piastri (4 points)

9) Zhou Guanyu (2 points)

10) Yuki Tsunoda (1 point)

11) Valtteri Bottas

12) Carlos Sainz

13) Pierre Gasly - DNF

14) Esteban Ocon - DNF

15) Nyck de Vries - DNF

16) Logan Sargeant - DNF

17) Kevin Magnussen - DNF

18) George Russell - DNF

19) Alex Albon - DNF

20) Charles Leclerc - DNF

Haas appeal

13:29 , Kieran Jackson

Still no official verdict from the Haas appeal, though we are not expecting much. It has now passed midnight in Australia so we expect this will wait until morning.

Here’s the official FIA documentation:

 (FIA)
(FIA)

Carlos Sainz raging at ‘most unfair’ penalty and cuts short interview at Australian GP

12:59 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz was fuming after finishing out of the points at the Australian Grand Prix, describing a late punishment as the “most unfair penalty I’ve seen in my life.”

At the end of a crazy race in Melbourne, Sainz was given a five-second penalty for a collision with Fernando Alonso after the third red flag was thrown.

Yet with the remaining cars taking the chequered flag behind the safety car, it meant Sainz dropped from fourth on the leaderboard down to 12th, out of the points, and last out of all the finished cars.

When told of the penalty over team radio, Sainz was incandescent: “No, it cannot be!

“Why is this me out of the points. No it’s unacceptable. They need to wait until the race is finished. No!”

Sainz raging at ‘most unfair’ penalty and cuts short interview at Australian GP

George Russell rues bad luck after car catches fire at Australian GP

12:30 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell insists he could have won the Australian Grand Prix had events not turned drastically against him.

Starting second on the grid, the British driver launched past Max Verstappen to take the lead of the race, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton also squeezing past the Red Bull driver to take second.

An early crash for Alex Albon resulted in Russell pitting, before a red flag meant the 25-year-old dropped down to seventh for no advantage as the rest of the field changed tyres in the pit lane.

Russell recovered to fourth when the action got going again, but a power unit failure resulted in his retirement and the 25-year-old had to speedily exit the car with the rear of his Mercedes on fire.

“When it’s not your day it’s not your day, I guess,” he told Sky F1.

George Russell rues bad luck after car catches fire at Australian GP

Max Verstappen survived a crazy chaotic and farcical finale to win the Australian Grand Prix - REPORT

11:59 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen’s cruise to the chequered flag was placed in danger when the race was stopped in the closing stages after Kevin Magnussen hit the wall and debris littered the track.

Magnussen’s accident set up a two-lap shootout at Melbourne’s Albert Park, but the frantic restart lasted only two corners after Fernando Alonso was sent spinning by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine team-mates’ Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed out. Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant also ended up in the gravel.

The race was red-flagged for a third time before a 33-minute delay followed as the FIA rooted through its rulebook. The order of the previous start was taken up, with Verstappen following the safety car home in an absurd procession to the chequered flag.

Lewis Hamilton finished second ahead of Alonso. Sainz crossed the line in fourth, but a five-second penalty for colliding with Alonso dropped him out of the points to 12th. Sergio Perez fought back from last to fifth in his Red Bull.

Max Verstappen survives farcical finish to win chaotic Australian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton delivers reality check after ‘remarkable’ Australian Grand Prix result

11:29 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton hailed a “remarkable” podium finish at the Australian Grand Prix after admitting he is still struggling to get to grips with his Mercedes car.

Hamilton finished second to race winner Max Verstappen in a chaotic race in Melbourne despite continuing to feel “uncomfortable” and being unable to “connect” with his Mercedes.

The result was Hamilton’s best result of the season as the 37-year-old was able to hold off the challenge of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso to finish second on the podium.

And there appeared to be further encouraging signs for Mercedes with George Russell fighting at the front of the race before his hopes were dashed by engine failure.

Hamilton’s second place finish extended his streak of 17 seasons with a podium but the seven-time champion delivered a reality check as he discussed how far Mercedes still need to go to challenge Verstappen and Red Bull.

Lewis Hamilton delivers reality check after ‘remarkable’ Australian Grand Prix result

It was close... but Max Verstappen was NOT outside his grid box!

11:02 , Kieran Jackson

Close shave!

George Russell, after his retirement:

10:48 , Kieran Jackson

“When it’s not your day it’s not your day, I guess.

“The pace has been great all weekend. Had a great qualifying, start was great, first stint was really well managed. I’d have been good thereafter. We probably could have won today, it would have been difficult for him to pass with Lewis between both of us.

“They’re a long way ahead of everybody, still seven-tenths ahead. A lot of work to do - but got to take the positives this weekend. Stood here whilst the race is still going on, pretty disappointing.”

Carlos Sainz raging at ‘most unfair’ penalty and cuts short interview at Australian GP

10:32 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz was fuming after finishing out of the points at the Australian Grand Prix, describing a late punishment as the “most unfair penalty I’ve seen in my life.”

At the end of a crazy race in Melbourne, Sainz was given a five-second penalty for a collision with Fernando Alonso after the third red flag was thrown.

Yet with the remaining cars taking the chequered flag behind the safety car, it meant Sainz dropped from fourth on the leaderboard down to 12th, out of the points, and last out of all the finished cars.

When told of the penalty over team radio, Sainz was incandescent: “No, it cannot be!

“Why is this me out of the points. No it’s unacceptable. They need to wait until the race is finished. No!”

Sainz raging at ‘most unfair’ penalty and cuts short interview at Australian GP

10:14 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen survived a crazy, chaotic and farcical finale to win the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s cruise to the chequered flag was placed in danger when the race was stopped in the closing stages after Kevin Magnussen hit the wall and debris littered the track.

Magnussen’s accident set up a two-lap shootout at Melbourne’s Albert Park, but the frantic restart lasted only two corners after Fernando Alonso was sent spinning by Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and Alpine team-mates’ Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon crashed out. Nyck de Vries and Logan Sargeant also ended up in the gravel.

The race was red-flagged for a third time before a 33-minute delay followed as the FIA rooted through its rulebook. The order of the previous start was taken up, with Verstappen following the safety car home in an absurd procession to the chequered flag.

Lewis Hamilton finished second ahead of Alonso. Sainz crossed the line in fourth, but a five-second penalty for colliding with Alonso dropped him out of the points to 12th. Sergio Perez fought back from last to fifth in his Red Bull.

Max Verstappen survives farcical finish to win chaotic Australian Grand Prix

Alex Albon, after retiring:

10:09 , Kieran Jackson

“Still looking at the data. Went wide, went on kerb a little bit the corner before, spiked the tyre temps. It’s fine margins out there. You lose grip, went into the corner a bit hot on tyre temp. I think that’s what happened, disappointing.”

Oscar Piastri after finishing P8, his first points in Formula 1:

10:04 , Kieran Jackson

“Chaos is how I would sum it up. Crazy race. Happy to be in the points at the end of it. Pace in clean air was pretty solid.

“At the moment Alpine are a bit of a step ahead of us, getting two cars in the points is a very result for us and the whole team.”

Lando Norris after finishing P6:

09:56 , Kieran Jackson

“Even before the chaos, for the majority of the race the pace was pretty strong. Stayed out of trouble - half the job is staying out the way of those who crash into people.

“There was a middle section when the pace was pretty strong. When I got into clean air the car came alive. Good things to understand for us. Qualifying is a weakness for us, we’re so poor in DRS conditions - we don’t get any quicker. Majority are much quicker than us.

“Today we’re more on par with them. All qualifying has DRS - it’s a big weakness for us and makes our life very tough.

On the chaos: “It’s not out of stupidity. It’s tricky. At the end, final laps, I feel like it’s going to crash at every corner - it’s difficult, with such slow warm-up laps you can’t get any tyre temperatures in.”

Esteban Ocon, after the hit with Gasly:

09:49 , Kieran Jackson

“I’ve got a headache after a hard hit, but I will survive.

“Nothing really clicked on our direction, things that were out of our control. Similar to the Astons, could have been much further up. Just racing on our own. Red flag killed our strategy.

“The chaotic restart, it could have been anyone I collided with, a lot of cars going off, Pierre not giving me much space - he came and apologised.

“People push to get results and took risks, paid for some and didn’t pay for others.”

A very gutted Pierre Gasly, after his crash with his Alpine team-mate

09:41 , Kieran Jackson

“Running in P5, on pace, was definitely a nice surprise. I can’t believe what happened in the end.

“I don’t even want to comment at the end. We remember what happened before, just gutted to miss out on a strong result. We have a couple of weeks to look back on those last few laps.

“I was pretty much in the gearbox of Carlos, catching Fernando in some laps, all in all I don’t feel like we’ve missed much to be fighting with them properly. I was hoping we could pick up the pace in the end.”

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing P2, speaking to Sky:

09:32 , Kieran Jackson

“I feel so so happy right now, so greatful to continue to push. We arrived with a car which has been difficult. To finish on the podium and get these points has been remarkable.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do to catch the Red Bull - hopefully this gives us a boost and energy, we’re there or thereabouts. Dig deep and keep pushing, it’s not that far away.

“Max is in another league, his car is so fast, he passed me halfway down the straight. I don’t know how they’re so quick on the straights - it’s insane. Until we pick up speed on the straights, that’s how it will continue. We can definitely fight with the Ferraris - the battle is with Fernando right now.”

BREAKING: Haas appeal race result

09:22 , Kieran Jackson

Haas - who sought to gain with Nico Hulkenberg in P4 as opposed to P7 - have appealed the decision to revert the race order to what it was prior to the late start!

Nothing to lose for Gunether Steiner’s team, to be fair... doubt it’ll come to anything, mind.

Carlos Sainz, after that five-second penalty which dropped him from P4 to P12:

09:16 , Kieran Jackson

“I prefer not to talk right now, I’m too disappointed.

“It’s the most unfair penalty I’ve seen in my life. I prefer to talk to the stewards now and then come back to you.”

Time for the podium!

09:07 , Kieran Jackson

Alonso P3; Hamilton P2; Verstappen P1

Three world champions on the podium!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Max Verstappen after finishing P1:

09:02 , Kieran Jackson

“We had a very poor start. Lap one I was careful because i had a lot to lose and i have a lot to win. The pace of the car is quick, always there waiting for the DRS to open up. With these red flags, I don’t know... second one I don’t really understand. Bit of a mess but we survived everything.

On clash with Hamilton on lap 1: “From my side, I tried to avoid contact - the rules are clear but clearly it’s not followed but that’s OK - we passed them anyway but something for next races to take into account.”

Still not happy with that first lap ‘clash’!

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing P2:

08:56 , Kieran Jackson

“This track continues to put on a great show. Really unlucky for George, but otherwise to get those points is really amazing. Didn’t think I’d be second, really greatful.

“I still feel uncomfortable in the car, don’t feel connected to it. Driving it as best as I can with that connect, but it’s a long project. Given we’re down on performance, to be fighting with the Astons is amazing at this point in the season. We can close that gap - it’s going to be tough but not impossible.

“I was having to push a lot to keep Fernando, they’re very quick, ultimately he was a bit quicker but just managed to hold him off. Three world champions in the top-3, that’s pretty mega!”

Fernando Alonso, after finishing P3:

08:50 , Kieran Jackson

“We had a rollercoaster of emotions today. The last half an hour was difficult to understand what was going on - the race was good for pace, Mercedes did a good job today. But we take P3.

“I want to be higher up on the podium, three third places let’s go for second!”

Lewis Hamilton is elated after finishing P2

08:45 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen very calm after he takes another win, while Lewis Hamilton is ecstatic at P2!

What a day in the end for Aston Martin too: Alonso 3rd, Stroll 4th

A third podium in a row for Fernando Alonso!

Max Verstappen wins the Australian Grand Prix!

08:38 , Kieran Jackson

Unbelievable race! Max Verstappen wins; Hamilton 2nd; Alonso 3rd

Carlos Sainz, in the end, finishes 12th after that penalty is applied! Last out of all the cars that have finished! Seems so so harsh!

So top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Piastri, Zhou, Tsunoda

The cars are back out on track for the ‘restart’

08:35 , Kieran Jackson

So the cars are back out behind the safety car.

How many places will Carlos Sainz drop behind the safety car?!

Carlos Sainz is incandescent over team radio!

08:31 , Kieran Jackson

Carlos Sainz is fuming!

Sainz: “No. It cannot be. Why is this me out of the points. No it’s unacceptable. They need to wait until the race is finished. No! They need to wait to discuss with me - the penalty is too servere!”

There will be cars trying to push him across the finish line... farcical!

Carlos Sainz has a five-second penalty! (58/58)

08:29 , Kieran Jackson

Oh wow! Carlos Sainz has received a five-second penalty for that collision with Fernando Alonso after that restart!

Farcical scenes beckon here!

All the cars will cross the finish line behind the safety car, so everybody behind Sainz will be as close to the Ferrari as possible so they can get as far up the order as possible!

Sainz might well miss out on points!

Official confirmation from the FIA

08:25 , Kieran Jackson

“Race resumption behind safety car in the order of the previous start minus cars out.

“There will be a rolling start and as there will be only one lap left, the chequered flag will be out as they come back across the line.”

The race will resume in 10 minutes (Lap: 58/58)

08:25 , Kieran Jackson

The race will get back underway in 10 minutes - but it will be just one solitary lap behind the safety car!

What a grand prix this has been! So much drama!

We finally have a resolution! (Lap 58/58)

08:23 , Kieran Jackson

So we now have to put the cars into the correct order. The cars will go out on track behind the safety car, so no overtaking, and they will take the chequered flag in the order below!

TOP-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Piastri and Zhou

Who missses out here? Hulkenberg would’ve been P4 so he misses out on more points - and Haas boss Guenther Steiner is fuming in the pit lane!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

We have some news! Fernando Alonso will be on the podium!

08:18 , Kieran Jackson

This is the restart order! For one lap behind the safety car! And Fernando Alonso will get his podium!

Top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Piastri and Zhou

Both Alpines miss out as their cars are smashed up so they cannot get back on track! Nightmare for Alpine!

So much confusion here! (58/58)

08:16 , Kieran Jackson

A lot of discussion will be going on in race control right now!

Ultra-confusing! Will we restart? Will we go back a lap for a standing start, perhaps? Will we revert to the old order or stick to the new one?

Who’s got those sporting regulations?!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

What happens now?! (58/58)

08:10 , Kieran Jackson

So, what happens now?

Either we finish the race behind the safety car or the race doesn’t restart with the current order OR we finish the race behind the safeety car or the race doesn’t restart with the order at the last standing start!

So, will Fernando Alonso have another podium or not? It depends when the red flag was thrown and if Max Verstappen was past the first sector line when it was thrown (similar to Silverstone 2022, if you remember!)

Aston Martin will be all over race control!

So, it will either be: Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Norris, Piastri, Zhou, Bottas, Perez (current order)

OR

Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Ocon (order at last standing start)

What a dramatic restart! (57/58)

08:05 , Kieran Jackson

I think we lost SIX cars at that restart!

It’s a huge crash between the Alpines of Ocon and Gasly coming out of turn 2!

But.. what happens now?! Near-certain we’re done with the racing - but will they revert to the order at the start due to the race not getting past the first sector line!

1-10 as it stands: Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Norris, Piastri, Zhou, Bottas, Perez

MAYHEM!

Fernando Alonso hit by Carlos Sainz! (Lap 57/58)

08:02 , Kieran Jackson

It’s lights out for the third time today - and it’s another RED FLAG straight away!

That’s the race over!

Max Verstappen holds off Lewis Hamilton - but Carlos Sainz clashes with Fernando Alonso and the Aston spins!

The Alpines clash with each other too! CHAOS here!

We’re underway behind the safety car! (Lap 56/58)

07:58 , Kieran Jackson

The safety car leads the pack around the track for one lap before the standing start!

All the drivers working hard to get some temperature into their tyres for this race-deciding restart!

Can Lewis Hamilton can claim his first win since Saudi Arabia 2021?!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

All the drivers back in their cars now! (Lap 56/58)

07:54 , Kieran Jackson

We will be back underway in two minutes’ time! All the cars are primed and ready in the pit lane!

Max Verstappen was eight seconds clear - but now he has to hold off Lewis Hamilton at the start!

What will happen here?!

Kylie Minogue is at Albert Park!

07:52 , Kieran Jackson

An entertained spectator here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

The race will resume in five minutes time! (Lap 56/58)

07:50 , Kieran Jackson

Quick, put the kettle on!

We will have two racing laps after a standing start here! What drama!

Here’s the top-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Ocon

11-16: Piastri, Zhou, Tsunoda, Bottas, Sargeant, De Vries

OUT: Magnussen, Russell, Albon, Leclerc

Race will resume in around 10 minutes (Lap 56/58)

07:46 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen enquiring why the red flag is thrown - and he’s told it’s due to debris on track!

What a moment this is! Mercedes have been much better off the start than Red Bull - could Lewis Hamilton get a chance on Max Verstappen?!

It’s like Baku in 2021 with a couple of laps from a red flag at the end!

And all the drivers are stunned!

RED FLAG! (Lap 56/58)

07:42 , Kieran Jackson

RED FLAG!

“So much debris out here,” says Hamilton. And there is a lot of debris around turn 2!

Oh wow! What drama here! They can all put on new tyres - and it will be a standing start you would have thought!

We have a safety car! (Lap 54/58)

07:40 , Kieran Jackson

Kevin Magnussen’s right rear tyre has gone, and it’s on track by turn 3!

SAFETY CAR! What happens now?!

Will anyone pit?! Can Hamilton hold Alonso behind him - or can Hamilton get right on Verstappen’s tail?

Will we get any racing laps in?!

Lando Norris makes the move on Nico Hulkenberg! (Lap 53/58)

07:38 , Kieran Jackson

Lando Norris up to eighth as he overtakes Nico Hulkenberg into turn 11, with the Haas just touching the gravel trap as he drops down to ninth!

1-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Perez, Norris, Hulkenberg, Ocon

Lewis Hamilton extends margin to Fernando Alonso (Lap 52/58)

07:36 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton now has a 1.8 second gap to Fernando Alonso...

Verstappen has increased his advantage to eight seconds after that small mishap.

Best battle on track right now? Lando Norris is all over the back of Nico Hulkenberg in the battle for eighth place, but the Haas holding his own so far!

Max Verstappen goes off track (Lap 49/58)

07:32 , Kieran Jackson

Wow, Max Verstappen goes off track at the final turn! He goes onto the grass but is able to go back onto the gravel...

“I keep front locking there!” Gap back down to 7.5 seconds!

10 laps to go... Verstappen’s comfortable afternoon just getting a bit more edgy!

Sergio Perez overtakes Lando Norris down the inside (Lap 44/58)

07:26 , Kieran Jackson

That Red Bull is just stupidly quick! Sergio Perez - after a valiant effort from Lando Norris - overtakes the McLaren down the inside into turn 9!

The Mexican up to P8! How much higher can Checo go? He’s less than a second behind Nico Hulkenberg now...

Hamilton has managed to stretch his lead, meanwhile, to Alonso to 1.7 seconds..

Max Verstappen’s lead to Lewis Hamilton now nearly 10 seconds (Lap 40/58)

07:19 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen now has virtually the whole home straight to himself as he continues to increase his lead...

“These guys are quick behind mate,” Hamilton says. Yet he’s just set the fastest lap of the race! Gap to Alonso is still 1.2 seconds, perilously close to DRS range!

4-10: Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Norris, Perez, Ocon

Oscar Piastri is seven seconds behind Esteban Ocon in P11; points look unlikely right now...

Lewis Hamilton sounds worried over team radio (Lap 35/58)

07:13 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton is concerned about Fernando Alonso’s pace - with the gap now 1.2 seconds!

Hamilton voices his concerns over team radio about Aston’s strategy - but his engineer Peter Bonnington is keeping him calm! Mercedes need Hamilton to get these tyres until the end of the race...

This is what it’s about now - will any cars pit again?!

Max Verstappen sets a new fastest lap of the race (Lap 32/58)

07:09 , Kieran Jackson

It’s cruise control once again for Max Verstappen... even without DRS, he sets the fastest lap of the race once again! He’s more than eight seconds clear of Lewis Hamilton!

Fernando Alonso is, gradually, closing in on Hamilton - gap is now 1.6 seconds

4-10: Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Norris, Perez, Ocon

Oscar Piastri, the hometown hero, is in P11. Can he somehow claim his first points in Formula 1 here?!

Carlos Sainz overtakes Pierre Gasly for P4! (Lap 27/58)

07:04 , Kieran Jackson

It’s been a great recovery from Carlos Sainz from P11 after the safety car - he’s up to fourth after selling Gasly the dummy into turn 3, before swooping up the inside!

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton now over six seconds from Max Verstappen, who has just set the fastest lap of the race too. Fernando Alonso’s gap to Hamilton? 2.3 seconds...

“A long way to go on this tyre, I don’t feel like it will go all the way,” says Hamilton.

Still plenty to play for here!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton is out of Fernando Alonso’s DRS range (Lap 23/58)

06:57 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has cleared Fernando Alonso’s threat for now, with the gap from P2 to P3 now two seconds.

Max Verstappen very comfortable out in front, 3.9 seconds clear of the Mercedes.

1-10: Verstappen, Hamilton, Alonso, Gasly, Sainz, Stroll, Hulkenberg, Norris, Tsunoda, Perez

Sergio Perez, meanwhile, is up to P10 from the back of the grid! The Mexican is just cruising past the field - and has just made a lovely overtake on Esteban Ocon!

Virtual safety car period ends! (Lap 19/58)

06:53 , Kieran Jackson

We’re racing again in Melbourne!

Hamilton is concerned about Alonso’s pace behind him... could we have a classic battle between these two?!

Verstappen’s gap to Hamilton? 2.8 seconds.

The question now for the front of the pack is... how will their tyres hold? Will they go to the end of the race?

George Russell is OUT of the race (Lap 18/58)

06:51 , Kieran Jackson

Oh no!

George Russell’s engine has blown - a huge fire at the back of Russell’s Mercedes!

Virtual safety car - Russell stops at the pit exit, after his engine blew towards the end of the lap!

What a nightmare for Russell - after leading the race!

Max Verstappen’s lead is already huge! (Lap 16/58)

06:47 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen’s gap to Lewis Hamilton? 3.4 seconds. Already!

Yet Fernando Alonso is four seconds behind Hamilton in third....

4-10: Russell, Gasly, Sainz, Stroll, Hulkenbegr, Norris, Tsunoda

Carlos Sainz has made up five places at the start!

Max Verstappen overtakes Lewis Hamilton and takes the lead of the Australian GP (Lap 13/58)

06:43 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen makes the move around the outside ahead of turn 9 - and cruises past Lewis Hamilton!

And he’s already two seconds clear of the Mercedes! Wow!

George Russell overtakes Pierre Gasly - and is up to P4!

Max Verstappen right on the tail of Lewis Hamilton now (Lap 12/58)

06:41 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen now has DRS and is less than half-a-second behind Lewis Hamilton!

Trouble for the seven-time world champion!

Lewis Hamilton keeps his lead of the race! (Lap 10/58)

06:39 , Kieran Jackson

It’s lights out once again in Melbourne - and Lewis Hamilton maintains his lead into turn 1! He got a better start to Verstappen...

Fernando Alonso had a look at Max Verstappen but couldn’t quite make it work!

It’s relatively smooth on first lap - and George Russell overtakes Lance Stroll and Nico Hulkenberg up to P5!

Cars back out on track at the Australian Grand Prix (Lap 9/58)

06:36 , Kieran Jackson

It will be a standing start at Albert Park, as the cars go out behing the safety car ahead of a standing start!

Here’s your top-10 once again: Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Stroll, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Piastri

Needless to say, everyone is on hard tyres in the top-10!

Carlos Sainz down in P11...

The Australian Grand Prix will restart in five minutes!

06:27 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell, in his defence, unhappy but not with his own team, who he says “made the right call” on pitting him!

The red flag, incidentally, is due to the amount of gravel on the track as a result of Albon’s heavy shunt at turn 9!

Really tough on the Mercedes man!

Carlos Sainz has also missed out there - gone from P4 to P11! A nightmare start for Ferrari!

How long can Lewis Hamilton keep Max Verstappen behind him?!

The red flag is thrown! (Lap 9/58)

06:19 , Kieran Jackson

Oh wow - it’s proven to be a nightmare this for George Russell because the RED FLAG has been thrown!

That means everyone goes into the pit lane and every car can change tyres!

Russell has gone from the lead to P7 for no reason at all!

1-10: Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Stroll, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Russell, Tsunoda, Norris, Piastri

George Russell pits during the safety car period (Lap 9/58)

06:18 , Kieran Jackson

The race leader has pitted! Russell has a 3.6 second pit stop and comes out in seventh! He’ll be looking to go to the end...

Lewis Hamilton now leads the Australian Grand Prix behind the safety car - but sounds like he’d have like to pitted!

“This has put me at a massive disadvantage”

Alex Albon crashes out of the race! (Lap 7/58)

06:16 , Kieran Jackson

Oh no!

Alex Albon has lost the rear of the car and has crashed - from P6 for Williams! What a nightmare!

Another safety car!

George Russell maintains his lead post-safety car (Lap 6/58)

06:14 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell doing well to preserve his lead, setting the fastest lap of the race on lap 4!

DRS now enabled, with Hamilton within a second of his team-mate and Verstappen within a second of Hamilton!

4-10: Sainz, Alonso, Alonso, Albon, Stroll, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda

Charles Leclerc is out of the car (Lap 3/58)

06:10 , Kieran Jackson

The cars now rolling behind the safety car...

Replays show Lance Stroll tagged Leclerc’s Ferrari - but it’s a racing incident! No investigation ne essary...

“He pushed me off the track” exclaims Verstappen over team radio on Hamilton’s overtake. No investigation on that either.

Safety car in this lap!

George Russell takes the lead of the Australian Grand Prix! (Lap 1/58)

06:05 , Kieran Jackson

It’s lights out in Melbourne - and what a start!

George Russell is in the lead, taking Max Verstappen down the inside into turn 1, and then Lewis Hamilton does the same down into turn 4!

Max Verstappen down into third! Mercedes one-two!

But Charles Leclerc is stuck in the gravel - he’s out of the race!

SAFETY CAR!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

And we’re away with the formation lap at Albert Park...

06:02 , Kieran Jackson

Most of the field - and the front of the pack - are on the medium tyres to start with in Melbourne!

Max Verstappen leads the pack away on the formation lap - it’s time for action at Albert Park!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Lewis Hamilton says he will take ‘risks’ today at Albert Park!

05:59 , Kieran Jackson

Bold stuff!

A reminder of the starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix!

05:58 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) George Russell

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) Fernando Alonso

5) Carlos Sainz

6) Lance Stroll

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Alex Albon

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Esteban Ocon

12) Yuki Tsunoda

13) Lando Norris

14) Kevin Magnussen

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Oscar Piastri

17) Zhou Guanyu

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Valtteri Bottas

20) Sergio Perez

Sergio Perez insists he will keep going ‘until the last lap’

05:55 , Kieran Jackson

“We really think it’s going to be a hard race because overtaking here is difficult, will be a tough race but we’ll keep going until the last lap.”

Lando Norris’ strategy is simple...

05:53 , Kieran Jackson

“We’ve got a plan in place, hard to know what we can achieve - we’ll need a bit of luck. There’s not too much you can do on strategy around here and try and overtake a few cars.”

‘It is not worth it’: Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula 1

05:50 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen has threatened to turn his back on Formula One if the sport’s bosses press ahead with plans to expand the number of sprint events.

The shortened-race format was first introduced at three rounds in 2021, and has been doubled to six for this year, with the first of the season taking place in Azerbaijan at the end of the month.

In its current guise, Friday qualifying determines the grid for Saturday’s dash. The result of the sprint then establishes the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

But Saturday’s schedule could now see an additional qualifying session set the grid for the sprint. Friday’s qualifying result would then be the starting order for Sunday’s main event.

The change in format could even be introduced at the next round in Baku with an informal meeting of the grid’s major players set to take place in Melbourne before Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

“I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long,” Verstappen said.

‘It is not worth it’: Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula 1

Max Verstappen says he needs to ‘focus on myself’ ahead of the race

05:47 , Kieran Jackson

“Normally it should be alright, bit nicer when it’s warmer. Interesting to see how the tyres hold on, particularly the soft compound.

“They will try on lap 1, focus on myself and we will see.”

Time for the Australian national anthem!

05:46 , Kieran Jackson

The sun is shining in Melbourne and we are just 15 minutes from the start of the Australian Grand Prix!

And it’s now time for the Australian national anthem on the grid!

Anthony Hamilton says son Lewis is in a ‘really good mood’ ahead of the race

05:39 , Kieran Jackson

“I remember that day, great start to a Formula 1 career. Everybody’s feeling good, Lewis is in a really good mood, you’re looking for something strategy-wise, it’s one-stop so you’ve got to do something that’s safe.

“You’ve got to love the car, when you don’t it’s very difficult. But he will soon!”

Lewis Hamilton looking cool and calm in the drivers parade!

05:31 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton starts P3 in Australia this morning - can he claim a shock win, his first since December 2021?

His Mercedes team-mate George Russell starts ahead of him in second, is there any way they can work together to stop Max Verstappen in pole?

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

BREAKING: Sergio Perez will start from the pit lane

05:24 , Kieran Jackson

Given his issues on Saturday, Red Bull have fitted new engine components onto Sergio Perez’s car...

But that means he will join Bottas in starting from the pit lane!

So no back row of the grid on track to start this race in Australia!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

BREAKING: Valtteri Bottas will start from the pit lane

05:17 , Kieran Jackson

Valtteri Bottas, who qualified P19, has told Sky F1 that they’ve changed pretty much “everything” on his Alfa Romeo car, so he will start from the pit lane here at Albert Park!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Here’s the starting grid for the Australian Grand Prix!

05:14 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) George Russell

3) Lewis Hamilton

4) Fernando Alonso

5) Carlos Sainz

6) Lance Stroll

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Alex Albon

9) Pierre Gasly

10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Esteban Ocon

12) Yuki Tsunoda

13) Lando Norris

14) Kevin Magnussen

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Oscar Piastri

17) Zhou Guanyu

18) Logan Sargeant

19) Valtteri Bottas

20) Sergio Perez

Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula 1

05:08 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen’s quotes in full:

“I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long.

“I am not a fan of it at all. When we do all that kind of stuff, the weekend becomes very intense and we already do a lot of races. But it is not the right way to go about it.

“I understand they want to make every day at the track exciting but they should reduce the weekend, and only race on Saturday and Sunday and make those two days exciting.

“We are heading into seasons where we could have 24 or 25 races and if you then start adding more it is not worth it for me. I will not enjoy that.”

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Sergio Perez to start Australian Grand Prix in last place after qualifying nightmare

04:58 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez will start dead-last in Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix after a Saturday to forget at Albert Park.

The Red Bull driver, who won two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia, was constantly lurching off the track in third practice earlier on Saturday.

But it got even worse for the Mexican in qualifying as he locked up at turn three in the first few minutes of Q1 in Melbourne.

Perez beached his car in the gravel and was unable to spin his Red Bull out of the trap and, having not set a flying lap, will start P20 for Sunday’s race.

“We need to sort that issue man, it’s the same f****** issue man,” he exclaimed over team radio to his race engineer, as his team-mate and Championship rival Max Verstappen claimed pole position.

Sergio Perez to start Australian Grand Prix in last place after qualifying nightmare

Fire breaks out in pit lane and interrupts George Russell interview

04:44 , Kieran Jackson

A huge fire broke out in the pit lane at Albert Park on Saturday just after Formula 1 qualifying.

George Russell, who qualified second behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen, was conducting an interview in the media pen before attention turned to the television screens.

At the start of the Supercars event taking place on track following qualifying, James Courtney’s front left wheel caught fire.

Courtney entered the pit lane, by which point the flames had engulfed the entire car as it grinded to a halt.

The driver was able to escape unscathed as marshals looked to put out the fire.A huge fire broke out in the pit lane at Albert Park on Saturday just after Formula 1 qualifying.

Fire breaks out at Australian GP and interrupts George Russell’s interview

Max Verstappen claims pole position for the Australian Grand Prix - RACE REPORT:

04:29 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen saw off a spirited Mercedes fightback to put his Red Bull on pole position for the Australian Grand Prix.

Verstappen beat George Russell to top spot by 0.236 seconds to claim his second pole of the year and 22nd of his career.

Lewis Hamilton will line up in third position, one place ahead of Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez starts last after he crashed out.

Mercedes have endured a poor start to the new season, but the Silver Arrows suddenly find themselves in contention for a surprise victory at Melbourne’s Albert Park with Russell leading their charge.

Hamilton was just nine thousandths adrift of Verstappen before the final runs, but preparations for his last lap were disrupted when he got caught up behind Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg. Although the seven-time world champion improved on his time, he was unable to join Verstappen on the front row with Russell edging out his team-mate by one tenth.

Verstappen grabs pole position for Australian Grand Prix but Mercedes on front row

George Russell says Mercedes ‘have to go for the win’ in Australian Grand Prix

04:10 , Kieran Jackson

George Russell said Mercedes must target victory at Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix following their surprise qualifying performance in Melbourne.

Championship leader Max Verstappen raced to pole position with a track record at Albert Park, but the revival of the Silver Arrows raised hope that the Dutchman might not have it all his own way this season.

Russell will line up alongside Verstappen on the front row, lapping 0.236 seconds slower than the Red Bull man, with Lewis Hamilton third in the other Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso starts fourth for Aston Martin, while Sergio Perez, a winner in Saudi Arabia a fortnight ago, qualified last after he beached his Red Bull.

Mercedes have endured a poor start to the year. On the eve of the first race in Bahrain, team principal Toto Wolff sent alarm bells ringing when he said he was ready to consign this season’s car to the rubbish bin.

George Russell says Mercedes ‘have to go for the win’ in Australian Grand Prix

It was a busy day of talking points on Saturday...

04:05 , Kieran Jackson

Not least this shocker from Verstappen in the post-qualifying press conference...

‘It is not worth it’: Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula 1

Max Verstappen has threatened to turn his back on Formula One if the sport’s bosses press ahead with plans to expand the number of sprint events.

The shortened-race format was first introduced at three rounds in 2021, and has been doubled to six for this year, with the first of the season taking place in Azerbaijan at the end of the month.

In its current guise, Friday qualifying determines the grid for Saturday’s dash. The result of the sprint then establishes the order for Sunday’s Grand Prix.

But Saturday’s schedule could now see an additional qualifying session set the grid for the sprint. Friday’s qualifying result would then be the starting order for Sunday’s main event.

The change in format could even be introduced at the next round in Baku with an informal meeting of the grid’s major players set to take place in Melbourne before Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix.

“I hope there won’t be too many changes, otherwise I won’t be around for too long,” Verstappen said.

‘It is not worth it’: Max Verstappen threatens to quit Formula 1

It’s time for the Australian Grand Prix!

04:01 , Kieran Jackson

Rise and shine!

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the Australian Grand Prix as round three of the 2023 F1 season takes place at Albert Park in Melbourne.

Max Verstappen starts on pole, with George Russell alongside him in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. Sergio Perez - Verstappen’s team-mate and Championship rival - is all the way down in P20 after a Saturday to forget!

Stay right here for all the build-up ahead of lights out at 6am (BST)!

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)