Go! Go! Go!published at 06:06 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
LIGHTS OUT!
Lewis Hamilton gets away smoothly and HOLDS the lead into the first corner.
Image source, Getty ImagesSummary
Vettel wins after leapfrogging Hamilton in pits
Hamilton second, Bottas third
Grosjean, Palmer, Ericsson out
Ricciardo, Stroll, Alonso also retired
Go! Go! Go!published at 06:06 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 06:06 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
The extra formation lap appears to be because someone lined up in Daniel Ricciardo's place on the grid.
Everyone is in the right place now though.
Seconds away...
Postpublished at 06:05 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analystI think 80,000 Australian fans were cheering that decision from race director Charlie Whiting to throw in an extra formation lap as it gives Daniel Ricciardo a few more minutes.
The body language does not look good down in the Red Bull garage though.
Postpublished at 06:05 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
"Grip feels poor on the grid," says Lewis Hamilton.
Good news for Sebastian Vettel on that race to the first corner?
Postpublished at 06:04 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
A boost for Daniel Ricciardo? A few extra seconds to get the Red Bull sorted...
Postpublished at 06:04 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Everyone takes their place on the grid... BUT we're getting another formation lap...
Image source, Rex FeaturesGet involved #bbcf1published at 06:02 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Kristine Kirby: Cars leave grid for formation lap with Lewis leading all. Butterflies in stomach & heart in throat moment. Time to drop the Hammer!
Postpublished at 06:00 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
The cars are away for the formation lap, the butterflies are fluttering in the belly.
Here we go, the first race of the 2017 season.
A race against timepublished at 05:59 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Mark Gallagher
BBC Radio 5 live Formula 1 analystThere are about eight Red Bull engineers crouched over Daniel Ricciardo's car. It looks like more than a simple electrics problem. They look like they have zeroed in on what is wrong, but the question is whether they have enough time to sort it before the race start.
Postpublished at 05:59 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
It's really not looking good for Daniel Ricciardo with a minute to go until lights out.
Such a shame.
Get involved #bbcf1published at 05:57 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Yes, David! Having lived in Hong Kong for five years I know this place well. Enjoy the race.
Postpublished at 05:55 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton speaking to BBC Radio 5 live a little earlier: "Two and half tenth of a second is very, very close. I'm not sure if people know how close that is. That is the reaction time off a start. Ferrari have done a great job. I relish the battle with anyone though. If I finish ahead of him it makes me look better."
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 05:55 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
BBC Radio 5 liveDon't forget you can listen to full race commentary on BBC Radio 5 live.
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End of twitter postHope for Danpublished at 05:54 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Daniel Ricciardo is back in his car. Have Red Bull got his issue sorted in time?
Kvyat good to gopublished at 05:53 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Tom Clarkson
BBC Radio 5 live commentatorI have just spoken to Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat and he has said, contrary to reports that a fire extinguisher has emptied itself to put his starting position in danger, that he has no problems with his car and is ready to go.
Image source, Rex FeaturesPostpublished at 05:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Australian cricketer Adam Gilchrist, who has turned Formula 1 presenter for domestic television speaking to BBC Radio 5 live: "Walking into my first Grand Prix, I was just bitten by it. I love the international flavour to it. Everywhere you look you have people from around the world. It is great to be part of something that has strong heritage and such an intriguing future."
Postpublished at 05:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Renault's Jolyon Palmer, who starts 19th: "I think I can do anything from the back. We have made a place up already. I hope the car is going to be better today than it was yesterday."
Postpublished at 05:51 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Image source, .Postpublished at 05:50 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Here's a strange one. There's suggestions Daniil Kvyat might not start this race because his fire extinguisher is empty.
What a dramatic start to the season!
What strategy to expect?published at 05:48 British Summer Time 26 March 2017
Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in MelbourneNormally at this point, we talk about strategy variations for the race. Today? One stop. That’s it. Mostly start on the ultra-soft and complete the race on the super-soft. Unless something goes awry.