Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Where to start with McLaren? Well, pace is as good a place as any, and Fernando Alonso was 2.4secs off that. Position? Twelfth is better than expected - and the Spaniard did well to beat the Force India of Esteban Ocon, but he was still half a second off the Frenchman’s team-mate Sergio Perez. Of the other drivers Alonso beat, well, Felipe Massa’s Williams and Kevin Magnussen’s Haas both broke and will be ahead, as will Jolyon Palmer’s Renault, smashed in a crash at Turn 16. As, presumably, will Ocon. That just leaves the Saubers - phew, at least McLaren are quicker than them - an unproven pay-driver rookie in a Williams and Alonso’s own team-mate. 

On track, the car looked pretty decent in the corners - and the engineers said Alonso reported positive feelings on downforce and balance - but it sounded dreadful on the straights, each upshift accompanied by a graunching sound that gave the impression the engine was tearing itself apart. Which as the sound is related to the vibration issue that is troubling Honda, is effectively what is going on.

Alonso did not mince his words. “Everybody is working day and night to improve the situation," he said. “We brought a lot of new parts for the car here. But there's rule changes, a golden chance to catch Mercedes. It's the third year in terms of the engine project, so we have to be much higher up. Last year we were fighting for Q3 more or less regularly. In 50% of the races we made it and in the other 50% we were very close, so not being in the top five or six this year is not a reaction at all.”

Image source, AP

Three drivers are yet to make an appearance on the circuit - Marcus Ericsson, Nico Hulkenberg and Fernando Alonso.

Antonio Giovinazzi heads out in the Sauber for the first time and is immediately a bit twitchy round the first corner. A minor wobble, though, as he successfully completes his first lap in 1:30.311.

Tom Williams: Strange decision by Wehrlien, there are countless young drivers who would snap up the opportunity to drive this weekend fit or not.

Michael: Got to wonder if this is really his choice  

Yellow flagpublished at 03:13 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2017

03:13 GMT 25 March 2017

Kimi Raikkoen goes straight on at Turn 13 and comes to a stop.

"You may have a puncture rear left," the Finn is informed. 

Daniel Ricciardo sets the first time of the session with a 1:25.589 but he drops down to third as the Ferraris get in on the action. Sebastian Vettel goes quickest with 1:24.308 while Kimi Raikkonen is P2 following a 1:24.874.

Ricciardo did his time on the supersofts, with the Ferraris on the ultrasofts.

Image source, Getty Images

We had a couple of red flags yesterday, one of them for when Jolyon Palmer crashed his Renault into the barrier. He'll be owing several members of his team a round of drinks soon after got his car patched up and out for final practice.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Lewis Hamilton’s pace compared to team-mate Valtteri Bottas raised an interesting question - was it driver or car that was making the difference? Was the true one-lap pace of the Mercedes that of Bottas, about level with the Ferrari, as the world champions suspected after pre-season testing? Or was Bottas, still new to the team, struggling and Hamilton excelling at a track where he is often electrifying? 

Unfortunately for those hoping for a close season, the evidence at the moment is that it looks like the car again has a significant advantage. On race pace, Hamilton was a second quicker than the only comparable Ferrari, that of Kimi Raikkonen, and Bottas was 0.7secs up, and half as far off Hamilton as on a qualifying lap.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Several drivers are out on the track now. 

Lewis Hamilton, fresh from playing a bit of Aussie Rules, is out on supersofts while his Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas has the softs bolted on his car.

Bethonie Waring: I feel a lot less like I've been hit in the face with a hammer today.

Me and you both, Bethonie.

Back to matters on the track and one hour of final practice is under way.

That air display must have taken place in the only patch of blue sky because suddenly it is quite overcast now.

What are your thoughts on Pascal Wehrlein's decision not to race? Let us know via #bbcf1

Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

I think Pascal made the wrong decision to come to Australia. He must have known. Is another 10 days going to be enough for him? 

Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analyst

It is pretty high risk strategy to allow Giovinazzi a chance to drive. He has a great pedigree and this is a great opportunity for him. 

It is a tough decision Wehrlein has made and I doubt it is because he lacks hunger. I think he must have good reason to believe that he would struggle to finish the race tomorrow.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

Three minutes until one hour of final practice gets under way and you can listen to commentary right now on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and online via this page. Crack on.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Let’s just take a moment to look at the scale of Lewis Hamilton’s superiority in Friday practice at the opening race of the season. 

On one-lap pace, he was more than half a second clear of the field. On his race simulation, he was 0.236secs on average quicker than team-mate Valtteri Bottas. Out on track, his control on the limit as he danced the Mercedes around Albert Park was a joy to behold. Team boss Toto Wolff said Hamilton was “in a league of his own”, and he was on the money. 

It’s early days, but Hamilton is going to take some beating.  

Image source, Getty Images