This year we see the introduction of the W Series, which is a female-only formula racing series. The 18-strong grid has been announced, and includes five British drivers.

The first race starts on 3 May in Hockenheim.

What are your thoughts on the W Series? A good opportunity for young female drivers, or are the accusations of segregation correct? Tweet us via the usual hashtag #bbcf1 to get involved in the debate.

Sebastian Vettel, who finished in fifth, speaking in the media pen, says: "It's difficult, we all struggled at various points and I really struggled at the beginning maybe on the medium tyre.

"But overall it wasn't the race I wanted to have, then on top I had a mistake with the spin so not a good evening.

"It's a disappointing day, starting at the front and not finishing there is not what we wanted."

FIA president Jean Todt tweets...

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, speaking to Sky Sports says: "It's a long championship and you always have to balance performance with reliability, and then there is the fortune factor. Charles was very unfortunate he had the quickest car, and then his fortune swung in the other direction.

"It's not about one single lap performance, it's about holding it together even if that means cruising home with a third or fourth.

"We are lacking straight line speed so we need to improve for China."

Let's hear this again...

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel loses his front wing after going wheel to wheel with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton on turn four of lap 38.

He says speaking after the race: "The wind probably didn't help, maybe the fact that Hamilton was ahead, I don't know. I lost the car very suddenly once I spun and it was too late and we had too much damage with the tyres to cause the front wing to fail."

Image source, Getty Images

Mattia Binotto, Ferrari's new team principal says: "I think we can count on two drivers it's not been a great race but he was second when he did a mistake and he can still deliver very well.

"It seems that may happen in a race fighting is never easy no blame at all I think it's understandable."

Might not have been a great race for Ferrari, but it was for the fans!

Valtteri Bottas leads the championship by one point, thanks to that fastest lap he picked up in Australia. Lando Norris gets eight points in only his second grand prix. Top work.

Image source, .

Ian: Hamilton should get Leclerc up on to the top podium with him after such a brilliant race.

Alex Lloyd: Great race from Charles Leclerc, if the car works for him and works the entire race, he will be on that top step a lot this season. Made Vettel look like the rookie frankly.

Kenny: Leclerc sounding dejected & almost apologetic on the radio back to Ferrari despite a maiden podium. Yes he should have won but let's not forget he had a phenomenal weekend, he should be proud of what he has done to get third in his second race for the Scuderia.

Some class from Lewis Hamilton, who with the top three in the cool down room, tells Charles Leclerc: "You drove great. You've got a great future ahead of you."

Image source, PA

Charles Leclerc, who finished third, says: "It happens, a part of motorsport, unfortunately today it was not our day but I'm sure the team did an amazing job. We have been very lucky in a very unlucky situation as we then had the safety car situation.

"It's a very hard one to take, but we will come back stronger. I didn't do a good start, then we are very strong, it's a shame to only finish third but that's part of racing. I'm never looking at the result, just the potential. Congrats to Lewis and Valtteri, we will come back stronger."

By the way, the bonus point for the fastest lap goes to Charles Leclerc. That will be no consolation to him.

Valtteri Bottas, who still leads the championship, finishing P2, says: "Yeah I mean as a team we got lucky today we kept it together.

"The hard work at the factory is paying off I had a difficult race as the balance of the car was everywhere and I made a few mistakes.

"I never will give space, the first lap was good I had a lock-up in turn one."

Race winner Lewis Hamilton says: "Today was a really, really hard job and the team were incredible. It was a devastating race for Charles.

"We were lucky today. I gave it everything in the race. This guy [Leclerc] has a lot of race wins coming in the future."

Quotes from the top three incoming...

Charles Leclerc says to the team: "Ohhhhhh, well guys I'm sorry I don't know what to say. What a shame, what an amazing race we've had."

Pete Bonnington, Hamilton's race engineer says: "Get in there Lewis - that was a hell of a race and an awesome drive."

Hamilton: "Guys, that was extremely unfortunate for Charles. He drove such a great race! We've got work to do to try and keep these guys on our tails."