Felipe Massa pits from third, switches to medium tyres and is back out in sixth place.

Nico Hulkenberg also heads in, pitting from 10th and taking on a set of mediums.

Image source, Getty Images

Lotus's Pastor Maldonado has been explaining his crash on 5 live, saying it was just unfortunate, but that he was happy with the race pace of the Lotus.

Even better from Lewis Hamilton as he clocks his best lap of the race so far, a 1:31.940.

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton opens up a bit more at the front of the grid and his lead is now 2.9 seconds.

Kimi Raikkonen, in 11th, clocks a 1:33.242 on the fresh tyres. Meanwhile Felipe Massa who is third, has a 1.5 second lead over fourth placed Sebasitan Vettel, but reports some degradation on the front left tyre of his Williams.

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"That interview there from Romain suggested he was a PR man for the team."

Lotus' Romain Grosjean, who retired early in the race: "It was a technical issue that we will investigate.

"But don't worry it's different from last year. We have a good car this year. It's bad luck today but I'm hopeful for this year."

Image source, Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen pits in the Ferrari from seventh, another set of softs are bolted on before he returns to the circuit., Not the quickest of stops though.

Meanwhile Lewis Hamilton has increased his lead slightly again, he is 2.5 seconds ahead of Nico Rosberg.

Press Association F1 reporter Ian Parkes:, external A good stat for you folks. 15 cars represents lowest number of starters for a season-opening race since 1963!

Image source, Getty Images

Jenson Button's race engineer informs him that there are only 13 cars in this race and that is a "good chance to score points", hinting that he should avoid getting involved in any scraps.

"Roger" is the sarcastic response from Button, hinting that he doesn't need to be told as much.

Lisa Moran: Good day to be a rookie! Only 13 runners means a good chance to pick up points at your first GP (if you can make it to the finish!)

Jonathan Edgerton: Not a good start #F1 season. Cars underprepared and missing on the grid despite millions invested. And then a bit of average driving.

Rae Foreman: Who thought having a Felipe Massa and a Felipe Nasr would be a good idea?!

Felicity Green: McLaren should be embarrassed by the car they've got on the grid right now. Alonso probably has his head in his hands.

Maybe I spoke too soon, the battle between Jenson Button and Sergio Perez is pushed too far as contact is made at Turn 3, resulting in the Force India spinning. Perez is able to recover before a hardy marshal runs on to clear some of the debris.

"Good job Jenson, keep making life difficult for him."

Further down the field and Jenson Button, who started at the back of the grid in the McLaren is having a bit of a tussle with Sergio Perez. The Force India, in 13th, is six tenths off 12th-placed Button, but the latter is defending well.

There's been some impressive displays from the rookies already, none more so than Felipe Nasr, who is currently fifth and battling well with Daniel Ricciardo and Kimi Raikkonen.

Nico Rosberg continues to make gains on his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton with the gap now 1.2 seconds. They are both in a battle of their own, with Felipe Massa, currently third, 6.2 seconds behind Rosberg.

Max Verstappen, who today became the youngest ever F1 driver at 17 years and 166 days is currently ninth, behind fellow rookie Carlos Sainz.

Nico Rosberg is pushing hard and he cuts Lewis Hamilton advantage to 2.3 seconds with a new fastest lap.

Image source, Getty Images

The early drama gives Daniel Ricciardo the opportunity to challenge for a high finish and he is on the hunt for fifth at the moment.

However, Kimi Raikkonen has Ricciardo's Red Bull in his sights, plenty of tension for the watching home fans.