Rio Haryanto is out next - the two Manors are out. The man who needs a good lap now is Esteban Gutierrez.

Lewis Hamilton has gone quicker, clocking 1:25.351, and he has done enough to get into the second part of qualifying. In fact, the top nine are confident they have done enough.

Image source, Getty Images

Pascal Wehrlein is the first out.

I'll be honest, this is mad, but great mad! Frantic.

Right then, the eliminations are starting now. Pascal Wehrlein is bottom of the timesheet but he is still in the pits!

He'll have no time to get a lap in here, so it looks like he is being eliminated first.

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"All the guys in the drop zone have been in to the pits to put new tyres on. They need to get a lap in because they are running out of time."

Everyone has set a time on a busy track and Nico Rosberg has jumped up to fourth. At the moment it is 1) Hamilton 2) Raikkonen 3) Verstappen 4) Rosberg 5) Vettel

In trouble, with the elimination time approaching, is Pacal Wehrlein.

The first lot of competitive lap times are coming as Lewis Hamilton goes quickest with 1:26.635. Nico Rosberg crosses the line 1:33.717 - after scuppering his lap time.

Now then, an error for Nico Rosberg as he runs wide at Turn 1, fluffing this lap for him. He's still got time, and shouldn't be in too much bother, but not the ideal start for him.

Everyone is quite aggressive already, early nerves?

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live pit-lane reporter

"All cars are going out on the super soft tyre - the fastest tyre brought here this weekend."

Here we go then!

The first session of the new qualifying format is under way. The two Mercedes cars lead out the field.

Sir Jackie Stewart on BBC Radio 5 live: "I don't know if qualifying will be a mess, I can't imagine F1 producing a mess but it has to be easily recognisable and I don't fully understand yet. We'll either bite it or kiss it."

Image source, Getty Images

Speaking of Jenson Button, he has competed in 17 Australian GPs in Melbourne - more than any other driver. He has won the race on three occasions, only Michael Schumacher has won more (four).

One final reminder of how this whole shindig works.

Q1

• Lasts for 16 minutes – all 22 car take to the track
• After seven minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated.
• Slowest driver eliminated every 90 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag. Seven in total drop out before clock reaches zero.

Q2

• Lasts for 15 minutes – fastest 15 cars take to the track.
• After six minutes, the slowest driver is eliminated.
• Slowest driver is then eliminated every 90 seconds thereafter until the chequered flag. Seven more drivers knocked out.

Q3

• Lasts for 14 minutes – top eight on track. 
• After five minutes, slowest driver eliminated 
• Then, slowest driver eliminated every 90 seconds until the chequered flag. Two drivers competing for pole in the final 90 seconds.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Stick BBC Radio 5 live on your radio or listen online via this page. Commentary on qualifying is under way.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Lewis Hamilton criticised the recent rule changes in F1 a couple of weeks ago and complained that the drivers did not get enough input into decisions. These remarks were always likely to backfire on him and on Friday here F1 director Charlie Whiting had a good-humoured little dig back. “The drivers get a lot of say,” he said, pointing out that there is a meeting between the drivers and him on the Friday of every grand prix weekend. 

“I can’t see how we could give them more of a say. We have sporting and technical meetings to which a driver is always invited. There is a seat on the circuits commission. The take-up is very low. We had a meeting in Barcelona (at the final pre-season test). Quite a few drivers turned up which was nice. Lewis was invited but he didn’t come.” 

Asked if he was making a criticism, Whiting smiled and said: “I’m just pointing out how many opportunities they do have. You can draw your own conclusions."

Image source, Getty Images

The Australian Grand Prix was first held at Melbourne's Albert Park in 1996.

Damon Hill won the race, with Jacques Villeneuve marking an impressive debut by taking pole position.

If Force India's 'simple diagram' doesn't clear it up for you, let Jack Nicholls talk you through the new qualifying format here.