Image source, Getty Images

Plenty of Daniel Ricciardo fans in the stands, all sporting smiles not too dissimilar to the usually beaming Australian.

He has not had much to smile about so far, and how he and Red Bull team-mate Daniil Kvyat gets on in qualifying will certainly be interesting.

With less than 25 minutes until qualifying gets under way, it remains unclear as to whether Manor will even take part in it.

They have not featured in any of the practice sessions in Australia because of a series of problems with their cars.

If they fail to take part, that could be bad news for Jenson Button. McLaren have, unsurprisingly, struggled in practice so far, and they risk being last on the grid if Manor do not manage to run.

"Qualifying will be tricky and getting out for as many laps as we can will be tricky," said the Englishman. "Hopefully we will be competitive sooner rather than later."

Image source, Getty Images

Securing pole position is certainly not the be all and end all in Melbourne, with just 42% of polesitters going on to secure victory in the previous 19 Australian GPs.

Last year, Lewis Hamilton, who started on pole, lasted just two laps before retiring with a power unit issue.

Live audio commentary on qualifying will kick in on this page just before 06:00 GMT and you can listen by clicking the 'play' icon for desktop users, or by selecting the live coverage tab.

Then you will be able to join Suzi Perry and company for highlights of qualifying on BBC One at 12:50 GMT.

Image source, Sauber

Sauber:, external Preparations for F1 qualifying are in full swing.

Sauber are able to finally focus on racing after the uncertainty that dominated Friday practice about who would drive for the team.

Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde has dropped his legal action against Sauber, allowing them to race in Australia and both Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson were out on the circuit in final practice.

Image source, Mercedes

Mercedes:, external Now THAT is a conversation we wouldn't mind listening in on...

Image source, Getty Images

The dry forecast means we won't be in for a race anything like the 1991 Australian Grand Prix, which was called off after 16 laps because of torrential rain.

Incidentally, we have a video highlights (UK only) of that very race if you fancy a trip down memory lane.

Cloudy it may be in Melbourne but it is looking like we are in for a dry weekend on the whole, as BBC weatherman Ian Fergusson explains: "Mostly dry. A weakening front could bring light showery rain by late Sat to early Sun. Temps peak Sat (23C)."

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"The battle for the front row of the grid will between the Mercedes but the battle behind it I will stick Vettel there as the best of the rest.

"But the stars of practice for me have been the two young Toro Rosso's drivers."

Let's be having your podium predictions then. The two Mercedes I would imagine are going to be a shoe-in in these predictions, but who else?

Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz have been mightily impressive in their first grand prix weekend, could Toro Rosso outshine the senior Red Bull team?

Let us know via #bbcf1,, external text us on 81111 (UK only) and have your say on the BBC Sport Facebook and Google+ pages.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

"At the other end of the spectrum, Mercedes' only concern is how big the margin to their rivals will be.

"Ferrari have clearly made a big step and caught Williams by surprise, and Lotus could well be in the top 10.

"Already it is a season of very contrasting moods."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

"It's clouding over a little in Albert Park as the clock ticks down towards the start of qualifying at 17:00 local time (06:00 GMT), but it's still a lovely, warm day. The mood in many teams in the paddock, though, does not match the weather.

"Red Bull bosses are not troubling to hide their anger at the lack of performance and reliability of their Renault engines - and the comparison with their junior team Toro Rosso is making life a little uncomfortable, too. At the moment, tiny Toro Rosso look like they might qualify ahead of their big-budget parent.

"McLaren are at a total loss, and Jenson Button's wish that Manor might run to save them the ignominy of being at the very back for Honda's first race back looks a forlorn one."

Jeremiah Kariuki: Red Bull and McLaren not having the best of weekends. The qualifying session will be a real pointer of what to expect of them.

Gideon Cresswell: Wide awake before 5am. Must be because #F1 has started again!! Shame my body doesn't realise it & have to wait till 12:50 to watch it!

Richard Myers: #BBCF1 new season starts today. Very much looking forward to watching it, qualifying is going to be interesting in Australia.

Welcome back! Or, if you are just joining us, welcome to our coverage of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

No-one will be surprised to see that a Mercedes have been sat proudly at the top of the timesheet in each of the three practice sessions in Melbourne.

However, the performance of the Red Bulls have perhaps raised an eyebrow.

An engine change for Daniel Ricciardo on Friday did not bring with it improved fortunes, as he had to be wheeled back to the pits at one stage today, while Daniil Kvyat also had reliability issues to contend with.

Worrying times ahead of qualifying.

Plenty of reasons to smile for one team...

Image source, Getty Images

...plenty of reasons not to for another...

Image source, Getty Images

OK then, qualifying gets under way at 06:00 GMT so I'm going to pop off and grab a bite to eat before we power up this live coverage again at 05:00. Join us then!

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"If looks could kill, I have just been killed by Christian Horner. He is in a very black mood. They just tried firing up Daniil Kvyat's Red Bull and it would not start.

"Meanwhile, it seems like Mercedes are looking very sweet."

1) Lewis Hamilton 2) Sebastian Vettel 3) Nico Rosberg 4) Valtteri Bottas 5) Felipe Massa 6) Kimi Raikkonen 7) Romain Grosjean 8) Pastor Maldonado 10) Felipe Nasr

11) Max Verstappen 12) Marcus Ericsson 13) Nico Hulkenberg 14) Sergio Perez 15) Daniel Ricciardo 16) Kevin Magnussen 17) Jenson Button 18) Daniil Kvyat

Did not run:

Will Stevens, Roberto Merhi

LEWIS HAMILTON FINISHES FASTEST IN FINAL PRACTICE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.