Kimi Raikkonen goes fastest with 1:30.283, before Nico Rosberg dips below 1:30 to climb into P1 with a 1:29.364.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

"It was already obvious after pre-season testing that McLaren-Honda were uncompetitive but the full extent of the team's troubles became clear on Friday.

"They were 3.6 seconds off the ultimate pace and more than 2.5secs off the best of the teams behind Mercedes. That margin to Mercedes is the equivalent of a 230bhp deficit - more than the entire hybrid system is worth on an F1 car.

"The engine is clearly a major issue, and judging from those numbers the hybrid system appears to be barely working. But that suggests something else major is awry, too."

Jenson Button has slapped soft tyres on to the McLaren, the only driver to do so in this session with the rest on the medium compound.

A 1:31.060 sees Romain Grosjean top the timesheet as we approach the half-way mark in final practice.

Yet to see a timed effort from Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"I am down at Ferrari where Sebastian Vettel is pulling his overalls up and putting his helmet on and looks to be about to head out. It is quite interesting observing Vettel, seeing his interactions with the Ferrari mechanics. There is quite a jovial atmosphere here at the moment, which is quite different to what we saw towards the end of Fernando Alonso's time at the team.

"Sebastian is doing everything right would be my observation, they seem to like him."

Image source, Getty Images

Max Verstappen will be hoping for a trouble free session after battery problems cut short his time on the circuit in second practice. So far so good as he goes round in 1:31.446 to leap into P2.

The 17-year-old will become the youngest ever F1 driver when he competes in Sunday's race, and you can watch our interview with him, where he says he "isn't scared" of the possibility of accidents and even death when competing in the sport.

Verstappen's father Jos (above right), by the way, started five races in Melbourne.

Lotus:, external "Important off-road check has now been successfully carried out."

Daniel Ricciardo reports 'really bad drivability' in his Red Bull as he heads out, but his first timed effort, a 1:32.189, is the third best time of the day so far.

A not unusual sight as Pastor Maldonado runs off the track at Turn 9, although he has not been alone in running wide today. Romain Grosjean has also had a brief off, to add to Daniil Kvyat's wobble earlier.

Carlos Sainz is the early pacesetter as he puts down a 1:31.755 in the Toro Rosso. Fellow rookie Felipe Nasr (Williams) is second fastest, with Force India's Sergio Perez third fastest 13 minutes into the session.

Tom Clarkson
BBC F1 pit-lane reporter

"It is is looking very unlikely we will see Manor in FP3. One of the drivers, Roberto Mehri, is in his civvies at the moment, Will Stevens is in his t-shirt, not overalls, and there is not much going on in the garage I am afraid, the mechanics are watching the race on the televisions and that doesn't bode too well for getting out."

Manor:, external "FP3 time but sadly we haven't toppled all our challenges yet. Good progress in past 24 hrs though & we are of course still plugging away."

Image source, Mercedes

Mercedes:, external Ok Lewis Hamilton you're all clear - let's go!

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

"Serious tensions are already emerging in the relationship between Red Bull and engine partner Renault. Red Bull had been looking for Renault to up its game over the winter after being left behind by Mercedes last season, both in terms of ultimate power and the efficiency of the hybrid system.

"Red Bull chiefs Christian Horner and Helmut Marko had been told they would get at least a 30bhp gain over the winter but are now saying that the engine has stood still - which would make the deficit to Mercedes at least 100bhp - and has worse driveability. Marko said: 'Renault say the 30bhp is there, but it's not available this weekend.'

"To heighten their concerns, Daniel Ricciardo's engine failed after just a handful of laps and it looks like the Australian has already lost one of his four allocated engines for the season. On track on Friday, the Red Bull looked off the pace - not even able to keep up with Ferrari and Williams, let alone Mercedes."

Daniil Kvyat is gingerly making his way back to pits, going off at Turn 15, but manages to limp back into the Red Bull garage.

Problems for Daniil Kvyat already as he reports over team radio that there is a issue with his Red Bull engine, not what the team wants to hear after Daniel Ricciardo had to change his engine yesterday.

Valtteri Bottas was the first to head out, along with Sebastian Vettel, Felipe Nasr and Kevin Magnussen.

Mercedes and Williams were the only teams to start on pole last year.

The track is open and a stream of cars head out. The final practice session is under way.

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"Sebastian Vettel has been leading the Ferrari charge. I would expect him to be the one making that challenge to Williams on that second row of the grid."

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

"Manor failed to get out on track at all on Friday and it may well be that they do not manage to do any running all weekend here. There are all sorts of rumours bouncing around the paddock, but Ferrari team boss Maurizio Arrivabene denied there were any issues over the engine deal, financial or otherwise, with an amusing quote on Friday, saying he had made it clear before Ferrari agreed to supply the team again 'no money, no honey'.

"The reality appears to be that the lateness of the project has imply left them with too much to do. All the computer systems were wiped when the assets were scheduled for auction. And after the 11th-hour rescue deal, which has required chopping and changing the car to meet the new safety regulations this season, there has simply not been time to get everything ready."