Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, of course, is aiming to emulate the achievement of Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda and become a three-time world champion.

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda, speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "Lewis did a perfect job in qualifying. The car is good, the engine is good too and no question, Lewis did an incredible job. We all know the car is perfect it is easy to drive, it behaves well, no complaints, o so if you have a car like this and you are a racing driver you are calm.

"The big problem tomorrow is to finish. It is the first race of the season and things can go wrong. So the first thing is for both cars to finish and if this happens then I know the advantage we have now and all the way to at least Barcelona is good to have."

Listen to the BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 preview podcast for more interviews from the paddock

Image source, Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton has not won the Australian Grand Prix since his first championship year in 2008, but his 2014 form suggests he is in strong position to climb the top step of the podium in Melbourne today. He secured victory six times on the seven occasions he started on pole last year.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Image source, Formula 1

"One of the stars of qualifying was undoubtedly Toro Rosso's Carlos Sainz Jr. The Spaniard, son of the eponymous rally legend and friend of Fernando Alonso, is one of two rookie drivers at the Red Bull junior team, but he has been somewhat out of the limelight as much of the attention has focused on the other, Max Verstappen, at 17 by far the youngest driver in F1 history. More than one person in the paddock has mentioned how ironic it would be if Sainz turned out to be quicker. After all, he was twice overlooked by Red Bull - once in favour of Verstappen, who wasn't even in the company's junior programme until last summer - before finally getting his shot at F1. There has been little between them all weekend but come qualifying Verstappen made an error coming out of Turn Four and it was Sainz in the top 10.

"'I made a small mistake in Q1, but I didn't let that affect me and from then onwards everything went really well,' Sainz said. 'I just kept focused and tuned the car to my liking to extract its full potential. I feel very comfortable in the car, I'm really enjoying myself a lot. It's difficult to know what to expect tomorrow, as it will be my first race, but I'm looking forward to it. It will surely be a bit of an adventure but this is what I've been preparing myself for the whole winter and I feel ready.'

So who do you think will win the season-opening race? Lewis Hamilton to kick-off his bid for a third world title with victory? Nico Rosberg to turn it on and draw first blood in this year's championship battle? If we are to assume Mercedes have one and two locked down, who will finish third?

Have your say on Twitter via #bbcf1,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) and pop a message on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

Image source, Australian GP/Twitter

Here he is, the subject of my opening two entries himself - Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Image source, Greg James/Twitter

Radio One presenter Greg James:, external BREAKING F1 NEWS: Nico plays a little overnight prank on Lewis to get a head start in the morning.

Great banter Greg.

Image source, Getty Images

While we wait for the start of the race, there's plenty of reading material on our Formula 1 page.

You can take a look at some Australian Grand Prix stats or try your hand at our F1 quiz if you have not already done so, while the BBC F1 television and radio team make their predictions for 2015.

There is also a piece by chief F1 writer Andrew Benson about how Lewis Hamilton's and Nico Rosberg's rivalries could make this season a classic.

Image source, ALLSPORT

The drivers parade has been completed and the countdown is on for the race, which gets under way in just under 50 minutes.

It is a stunningly beautiful day and it looks to me like there is no danger of any rain for the duration of this race, that's the forecast too.

Awake? Good, then it is vote time. Simple question, who do you think will win the championship this year? Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg or someone else?

You can vote on the right side of this page for desktop users, or click the vote tab if you are reading on mobile. Check terms and conditions.

If you fancy something to watch while we wait for the start of the race then the highlights show from qualifying is on BBC iPlayer now.

As ever, some mighty fine montage action is involved to get you in the mood.

Laps: 58

Local start time: 16:00

David Coulthard
BBC F1 co-commentator

"It looks like an inspired decision by Sebastian Vettel, he really has his mojo back and Ferrari have made huge strides since last season. Kimi also looks to be back. He was so far off Fernando Alonso last season it looked like had checked out."

Image source, Ferrari

Sebastian Vettel retired at the Australian Grand Prix last year but has a great chance of a podium this time having put his Ferrari on fourth. His team-mate Kimi Raikkonen qualified fifth.

"We can be happy with the whole weekend so far," says Vettel. "It is shame to miss out on P3 but it was very close and I think the battle for the podium is on."

He was all smiles as the drivers' parade was completed, and who can blame him? So far so good for Ferrari.

So with Valtteri Bottas ruled out, here is the grid:

1) Hamilton 2) Rosberg 3) Massa 4) Vettel 5) Raikkonen 6) Ricciardo 7) Sainz 8) Grosjean 9) Maldonado 10) Nasr

11) Verstappen 12) Kvyat 13) Hulkenberg 14) Perez 15) Ericsson 16) Button 17) Magnussen

Image source, Red Bull Racing Spy

Red Bull Racing Spy:, external Daniel Ricciardo's impromptu signing session on the Melbourne Walk. We're expecting him to reach the garage by Tuesday…

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"An update on Valtteri Bottas. The FIA medical delegate has ruled that he is not fit enough to start the race, so he will not be able to take part.

"Williams had expected that he would try to race, despite a muscle tear in his lower back sustained on Saturday but the FIA's intervention means that is now not possible."

Mercedes:, external The all-star cast of F1 2015 ladies & gents! Including your 2014 Australian GP winner... Nico Rosberg!

Image source, Mercedes

And of course, your reigning F1 World Champion... make some noise Melbourne! For Lewis Hamilton!

Image source, Mercedes

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

Image source, Formula 1

"A quarter of a century go McLaren were winning world championships with total dominance, much like we are seeing with Mercedes now, but they were the slowest cars on track on Saturday, and not just by a little bit, they were five seconds off Lewis Hamilton's time.

"I think it is going to be a very, very long and hard season for McLaren."

McLaren produced their worst qualifying performance for six years as their big-budget new engine partnership with Honda got off to a terrible start.

Jenson Button and Kevin Magnussen could only qualifying 17th and 18th, but despite the poor qualifying display they have remained upbeat and I've just seen a smile or two as they go round on the drivers' parade.