Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Williams say it will be tight for Stroll to get out because of repairs after his crash - but they predict he will before the end of Q1  

Will more sparks fly in qualifying?

Image source, AFP

The McLarens are the first out onto the circuit with both Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne going out on the ultrasofts.

Green light!

The first qualifying session of the 2017 season is under way.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, .

It's a good job Jack Nicholls and Mark Gallagher get on because that is one cozy-looking commentary box.

You can listen to the gang right now on BBC Radio 5 live and online.

Anyone fancy having a guess at what they are discussing?

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

The Australian air force have finished deafening everyone with their irritating/thrilling/impressive (delete as appropriate) fighter jet fly-bys, clouds are building to the north of the track and the atmosphere in the paddock is buzzing as the seconds tick down to the start of the first qualifying session of the season. In 60 minutes, after weeks of uncertainty, there will be a pretty clear picture of the shape of F1 2017. Or it could rain, and everything will still be up in the air but there will be a grid for the first race of the season. Either way, sit back and enjoy.

Dan Beard: Up bright and early for #Quali, external

Good to have you along, Mr Beard.

Most of you will know the drill by now, but for those who don't here is how qualifying plays out:

• The first part of qualifying lasts for 18 minutes, at the end of which time the five slowest drivers are eliminated from qualifying and 15 advance to Q2.
• The 15 remaining cars run in a 15-minute session, at the end of which the slowest five are eliminated from qualifying, leaving 10 to progress to Q3. 
• The final 12-minute session is held to decide pole position and the starting order for the top 10 grid places.

Image source, AFP

For those of you who do not have a clue what I'm wittering on about, here is said shoey.

Image source, .

Daniel Ricciardo doesn't have just his own shop, but also his own shoey bar! 

Wonder if they drink beverages from a Formula 1 driver's sweaty shoe there...?

Image source, Getty Images

This man is understandably hugely popular in Melbourne this weekend. He's so popular, in fact, he has a whole shop dedicated to him in Albert Park.

It's been a relatively tame showing by Red Bull so far. Daniel Ricciardo, hoping to become the first Australian to win his home race, was 1.7 seconds off Sebastian Vettel's pace in final practice. 

Sandbagging? Or have they slipped behind Ferrari? We'll have an idea soon enough.

There's a jet whizzing about in the sky above Melbourne, massively disrupting the live output of numerous media crews in the paddock.

Image source, Getty Images

For those of you just waking up, don't be confused by the absence of Pascal Wehrlein for qualifying.

The German has decided to not to compete this weekend, saying he lacked race fitness as a result of time off recovering from a back injury sustained in a crash in January's Race of Champions. 

Ferrari's third driver Antonio Giovinazzi has stepped into his shoes and took part in final practice earlier and it wasn't completely without its problems. He got a 200 euro fine for speeding in the pitlane.

And here's Nicole having a right old chuckle at something Sir Jackie has told her.

Image source, AFP

Actress Nicole Kidman is at the circuit today and was being shown around the Ferrari garage during final practice.

She also got to meet Kimi Raikkonen and I'm not sure she fully appreciated such an honour.

Image source, AP

Image source, AP

Image source, BBC Sport

The first race I ever covered was the 2007 Australian Grand Prix - significant for being the race Lewis Hamilton made his debut in. Hard to believe that was a decade ago.

Hamilton finished third in that race, behind Fernando Alonso and race winner Kimi Raikkonen.