Postpublished at 06:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Carlos Sainz is next to cut the timing beam and goes quickest with 1:24.655.
Everyone is out on track now apart from Max Verstappen.
Summary
Hamilton on pole, Bottas crashes heavily
Raikkonen 2nd, Vettel 3rd, Verstappen 4th
Both McLarens out in Q2, Sirotkin, Toro Rossos out in Q1
Postpublished at 06:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Postpublished at 06:04 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
It's a 1:25.348 for Nico Hulkenberg, a tenth of a second quicker than he managed in practice on Friday.
Lewis Hamilton got pole position last year with a time of 1:22.1.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 06:03 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driverHulkenberg is looking very neat on this first lap. The track is getting better all the time.
Postpublished at 06:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Marcus Ericsson, Carlos Sainz and Brendon Hartley are also among the early takers. Everyone out on ultrasofts.
Image source, EPAPostpublished at 06:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Nico Hulkenberg, after a little of bit of jiggling about by some mechanics on the exit of the Renault garage, is the first out on the track.
Go! Go! Go!published at 06:00 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
The first qualifying session of 2018 is under way!
Postpublished at 06:00 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driverIt's showtime. There is nowhere to hide now.
Current conditionspublished at 05:58 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Image source, F1.comGet involved #bbcf1published at 05:57 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
David Milner: Lunchtime viewing here in Hong Kong. Settled down with a pint, ready to watch Lewis get P1
My old stomping ground, David. Enjoy!
Listen to 5 live commentarypublished at 05:56 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
BBC Radio 5 liveCommentary is LIVE now on BBC Radio 5 live. Listen online and on the radio.
Haas the best of the rest?published at 05:53 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in MelbourneSo far, the order looks very much like it did after testing - with a top three and then Haas best of the rest. The US-based team on Friday found themselves in something of no-man’s land. Not that close to the top teams but 0.6secs ahead of the rest. Romain Grosjean said if that’s where they actually are, “it would be amazing”.
Other teams are uncomfortable about their close relationship with Ferrari, the level of assistance that gives them and whether that is fair. But Haas team boss Gunther Steiner says this is “talking without intelligence and without knowledge” and the FIA has given it all a clean bill of health.
History to be made?published at 05:51 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Image source, Getty ImagesMax Verstappen, 20, can become the youngest ever pole sitter this season.
The current youngest is Sebastian Vettel, who did it at the age of 21.
Classic Danpublished at 05:47 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
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End of twitter postHow's the weather?published at 05:46 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Ian Fergusson
BBC WeatherWith the rain having cleared east more quickly, conditions look much more promising for qualifying. A 20% chance of showers through the session, suggest FIA's forecasters. Track temp currently 33C.
Postpublished at 05:43 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
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End of twitter postClassic Australian GPspublished at 05:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
1986 - Mansell suffers huge tyre blowout
Image source, Getty ImagesThese days held at the start of the season, Australia has been the scene of title deciders in the past, including one tense tussle back in 1986.
Williams team-mates Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet and McLaren's Alain Prost all went into the final round in Adelaide with a chance of winning the world championship.
Mansell knew that if he finished third or higher, he would be world champion. He was exactly where he needed to be with 19 laps to go when suddenly his left rear tyre exploded in dramatic fashion, ending his title hopes.
This was voted as your most memorable Australian Grand Prix moment here.
Get involved #bbcf1published at 05:38 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Jeremiah Kariuki: Doesn't matter what the weather is like in Nairobi! What matters now is where the cup of tea is, and the remote! Ready for #Qualifying, external. All set! What a feeling to be back to #F1, external watching.
Abdul: Hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the qualifying session. Tired of seeing Mercedes dominate. #bbcf1, external
Postpublished at 05:36 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Fernando Alonso probably hoped the rain would stick around but it's glorious sunshine now in Melbourne. Hot and dry.
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 05:35 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
Fernando Alonso was desperate to have a crack at clocking a time on the ultrasofts in final practice but his wish was never granted. His verdict? "What a disaster," he said after the chequered flag.
Despite that blunt assessment it was actually an encouraging display by McLaren after a troubled Friday due to exhaust issues. Alonso was 10th quickest with Stoffel Vandoorne ninth.
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End of twitter postListen to qualifying livepublished at 05:30 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2018
BBC Radio 5 liveBBC Radio 5 live will have live commentary on qualifying from 05:55 GMT. Tune in online or via the radio.