Formula 1 – Australian Grand Prix Race: Start time, timings and lap-by-lap updates as Max Verstappen aims to claim third consecutive race win to open the season

WOW WOW WOW.

His right rear break is on fire, it’s melted the tyre and the world champion is OUT of the race!

You couldn’t even make it up that the computer crashed just as we had lights out!

But Carlos Sainz is leading the way and Max Verstappen is having a nightmare here. He’s second but he has an engine issue!

Come on Daniel, now you’re just teasing us bleary-eyed Brits back in the UK…

Not long to wait now.

Drivers will soon be on their formation lap and we’ll be uttering those famous words: ‘lights out and away we go’

Max Verstappen hasn’t always been the best off the line in Melbourne so let’s see if opportunity knocks for Ferrari on Lap 1.

Genuinely quite excited to see how Carlos Sainz gets on over 58 laps today.

It’s a really interesting spot this season for Sainz to be in, knowing that he’s being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at the end of the season.

He’s a super driver and has everything in his locker to go and claim victory today.

Wherever he ends up next season, he will want to land a couple of wins for Ferrari between now and then.

Martin Brundle is currently undertaking his customary grid walk but it’s not for the faint hearted given the scorching temperatures.

He’s currently trying to catch the attention of internet stars Dude Perfect

Well, well, well.

George Russell’s pre-race has been dominated by a row over being filmed at a urinal by a pair of Australian influencers.

Who on earth decides to film someone using a urinal!? Dear, oh dear.

FULL STORY HERE.

From some tired Brits at home to one with a massive smile on his face in Melbourne.

Here’s what Lando Norris had to say as the McLaren star prepares to start in P3 from the start…

Mercedes having a good laugh at the expense of bleary-eyed UK fans waking up for this race.

It’s pretty accurate, mind you.

Speaking of home favourites, as well as Oscar Piastri there is Daniel Ricciardo.

But it has been tough sledding so far this season for the experienced Aussie.

MORE ON HIS STRUGGLES HERE.

It already feels like Red Bull are going to run away with the 2024 season – and it’s only race three of the season!

This is a big race for Ferrari and as Martin Brundle has just said in the paddock, the overwhelming feeling is that Ferrari HAVE to win this race today to make things interesting.

Carlos Sainz starts at P2 and he will need to make a good start or risks Verstappen riding off into the sunset…

It was a near-perfect qualifying for Red Bull with both of their drivers on the podium.

But a post-qualifying penalty means Mexican star Sergio Perez will start from P6.

HERE IS WHY – READ MORE.

If you’ve just joined us, here’s a reminder of how the starting grid looks.

Sergio Perez qualified third but was handed a three-place grid penalty unfortunatly for him!

Jon mentioned earlier about the importance of having Aussie drivers to drum up interest and Oscar Piastri is a big part of that these days.

Here is the young Aussie entering the paddock alongside his girlfriend Lily Zneimer…

If I am a total sucker for anything it’s sporting murals – and here’s an absolute ripper from the paddock at Albert Park.

Kudos to the artist!

I get it, you’re tired and it’s very early.

So let’s play a game.

Many of today’s F1 stars started out as karting phenomenoms… but can you recognise them? Ready, set, go…

As Jon said, organisers are handing out suncreen to spectators but the drivers are already oiled up as they parade round pre-race.

JONATHAN McEVOY IN MELBOURNE: Albert Park is rammed. Two days of record crowds – with an astonishing 120,000-plus here for Friday’s practice alone. Weather changeable.

Boiling hot when the sun’s out. They are handing out 50+ sunscreen to all. Having two Aussie drivers helps the numbers but everything is rising on the Drive to Survive tide – even with Verstappen overwhelming favourite to claim his 10th successive win today.

Sunglasses on, loads of adoring fans… not a bad life, is it?

Here’s a reminder if you missed qualifying of how the grid stands:

1 Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1min 15.915secs

2 Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spa) Ferrari 1:16.185

3 Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren 1:16.315

4 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:16.435

5 Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:16.572,

6 Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1:16.274

7 George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.724

8 Yuki Tsunoda (Jpn) RB 1:16.788

9 Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin 1:17.072

10 Fernando Alonso (Spa) Aston Martin 1:17.552

11 Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Mercedes GP 1:16.960

12 Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams 1:17.167

13 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Kick Sauber 1:17.340

14 Kevin Magnussen (Den) Haas F1 1:17.427

15 Esteban Ocon (Fra) Alpine 1:17.697

16 Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Haas F1 1:17.976

17 Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1:17.982

18 Daniel Ricciardo (Aus) RB 1:18.085

19 Guanyu Zhou (Chn) Kick Sauber 1:18.188

REMINDER: Williams are only running ONE car in this race due to damage picked up by Alex Albon’s car in practice. Logan Sargeant is missing out

Lewis Hamilton has already made his mind up and he will move to Ferrari at the end of this current season… but just three races in and this Mercedes car is already ‘messing’ with his mind, he claims.

He qualified in 11th and is in store for a long afternoon it seems.

READ MORE HERE.

Yes, he is the master of putting himself top of the pile these days but this was still a thrilling lap from the Flying Dutchman over at Red Bull.

Here is how Max Verstappen secured pole in Melbourne…

To those dialling in from the UK, rise and shine sleepy heads!

To those of you elsewhere in the world, good morning and good afternoon for the third race of the 2024 Formula One season.

Once again it’s Max Verstappen on pole and Mercedes struggling but around those two staples on the grid, there is plenty of intrigue for us to keep track of.