Formation laps are almost a go.

Image source, Getty Images

Lando Norris, who starts eighth in his first ever grand prix, tells Sky Sports: "I'm feeling quietly confident, I don't know what to expect - it was one of my best night's sleep.

"It is going to be a long one, it is warm, tough for my first race of the year, but I've done as much preparation as i can. The start is one of the things I'm most nervous about."

Image source, Getty Images

Jeanine: I can’t wait have a great race season, greetings from the Netherlands :-)

Nathan Whitaker: Do you think that Norris for McLaren has a good chance at some good points on his debut?

Jeremiah: Lando says he has some butterflies in the stomach. Looking to take it easy to the fast corner! Good thinking for a rookie. He might sting like a butterfly at the end of the race.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Melbourne

In the paddock in Albert Park, the Williams area is right down the far end, separated from the row of buildings housing the other teams - all side-by-side - by tyre supplier Pirelli, Red Bull's engine partner Honda, and the bar area hosted by the sport's official beer sponsor.

The positioning of their building was, by coincidence, a fitting and accurate reflection of where Williams stand competitively - adrift of the rest of the grid, all on their own in a world of pain. Russell was a massive 1.276 seconds slower than the next slowest car.

Image source, EPA

Lewis Hamilton's father Anthony tells BBC Radio 5 Live: "Nothing has changed, it is as if Lewis is eight in his first [karting] race. I'm as nervous as I was for his first race.

"Lewis is truly amazing. I sometimes wonder where he gets that 'no fear' from. I think this could be a different start to the season, you know Lewis, he is really competitive and he loves the fact that we are here as well.

"I never actually enjoy the race as I'm too nervous - from the minute it starts I want it to be over.

Image source, Getty Images

It's going to be a difficult day for Robert Kubica - no doubt. And the question is: does he still possess the driving feel and talent he so clearly had eight years ago before his rally accident?

His last F1 race? Abu Dhabi 2010. For Renault. Started 11th on the grid. Finished 5th.

Please don't let him have lost those skills.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Yesterday, Lewis Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher, and Ayrton Senna in the most pole positions in a single race.

Schumacher has eight at Suzuka, Japan.

Ayrton Senna has eight at Imola, Italy.

Lewis Hamilton has eight at Melbourne, Australia.

Image source, Getty Images

To remember F1 director Charlie Whiting. The circus is at a stand still, and has gone completely silent to remember this man who had such a huge impact on this sport we all love.

Jolyon Palmer
Former Renault driver on BBC Radio 5 live

The race at the front is the same old names with Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen the top four, but Vettel has a new team-mate at Ferrari as Charles Leclerc has replaced Kimi Raikkonen and he starts fifth. Pierre Gasly is in the other Red Bull, a theoretical race-winning car, but he only starts 17th.

A couple of Brits worth mentioning. Lando Norris is in eighth, George Russell 19th, but he did a good job qualifing ahead of his team-mate but his car, the Williams, is difficult.

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Outside Formula 1, there has been a bit of cynicism on social media about the result of qualifying on Saturday.

What was all that stuff about Ferrari being ahead and Mercedes struggling, people have asked; obviously Mercedes were the ones ‘sand-bagging’. But inside F1 there has been genuine surprise at the margin between Ferrari and Mercedes - and especially how far behind the Ferraris were, after being so obviously fast in pre-season testing.

Valtteri Bottas said: “A bit like Lewis. I’m a little bit blown away about the performance we had today.” And Sebastian Vettel admitted he was “certainly surprised. I think everybody is - probably even themselves”.

As for Ferrari, it seems they under-performed. Vettel was not happy with the balance. Charles Leclerc reckoned he could have been third had he not made a mistake on his final lap, about which he was angry with himself. Team boss Mattia Binotto admitted this had never been an especially good circuit for the team. Hamilton expects a stronger threat in the race.

Image source, AFP

Williams have done alright in the past with their GP2 and F2 champions.

Is it going to be from top of the F2 podium to the back of the F1 grid, for Russell or can we hope for more today?

Image source, F1

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Melbourne

Image source, Getty Images

You walk into Albert Park along Canterbury Road, sun shining, dappled shade from the trees, the odd clanging of a tram. Approaching the park, there’s a little path through a patch of pseudo-bush beside the road, eucalyptus smells as a form of auto-location.

You know there’s a big event long before the entrance - sounds of bands from beyond, crowds streaming in one direction, a river of taxis dropping people off, police by the road, a hum of Aussie drawl accompanying it all. Under the tram line, through the entrance tent, out into a burst of sun and yellow-parched grass and there it is.

Under flawless blue skies, the track that has come to symbolise the start of a Formula 1 season for more than 20 years now. The excitement and tension is palpable. What drama will the late-afternoon festival bring? Not long to wait now.

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan French: Coolest guy on the block right now is whoever is greeting the grid kids.

Jeroen: Right. Coffee!

Yessssss please.

Thomas Haynes: No essay to write this morning like there was Friday, so can sit back and enjoy listening to.

Finally finished the essay? There's nothing like essay writing and F1 at silly o'clock in the morning.

Andrew Benson
BBC Sport’s chief F1 writer in Melbourne

There will be a minute’s silence for Charlie Whiting on the grid at 1553 local time (0453 GMT). The loss of the FIA’s director of Formula 1 has cast a dark cloud over the weekend, Whiting in the thoughts and conversations of many up and down the paddock.

He was universally respected and liked, for his fair-handedness, warmth and easy manner, and he will not be easily replaced. Australian Michael Masi has filled in for Whiting in Melbourne, it remains to be seen how the FIA plan for his replacement long term.

Image source, Reuters

Daniel Ricciardo simply captioned this post: "Race day. Feed me."

Sebastian Vettel hasn't had a pole position since the German Grand Prix last year. That's not a great story to tell for a four-time world champion. But we can only hope the Ferrari's show some more pace today.

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Radio 5 Live

You can listen to our wonderful commentary team of Jack Nicholls, Jolyon Palmer and Jennie Gow on BBC Radio 5 live now, and at the top of this page.