Australian Grand Prix LIVE: F1 result Valtteri Bottas wins ahead of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton
Australian Grand Prix LIVE
Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit, Australia
Lewis Hamilton begins his Formula One world championship title defence in a perfect position after stealing pole ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
But the two Mercedes are likely to face a stern challenge from Ferrari star Sebastian Vettel, who has won the last two Australian Grands Prix at Albert Park.
Hamilton and Vettel went head-to-head in last year's championship, with the German eventually throwing in the towel after a number of indifferent displays towards the business end of the season. But the 30-year-old will be eager to atone for his title slip-up with a third successive win Down Under.
Max Verstappen split the Ferraris as the Red Bull sensation bids to get on the podium after a horror show in Melbourne last year, with Ferrari new boy Charles Leclerc starting in fifth.
There was an impressive debut in qualifying from McLaren teenager Lando Norris as he qualified in eighth position, but it was another forgettable session for Williams and George Russell, as they finished five seconds adrift of Hamilton at the back of the grid.
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Lewis Hamilton has won eight of the last 11 races off the back end of an extraordinary title surge in 2018.
Photo: Getty
How can Sebastian Vettel respond to the Brit's dominance? The German loves racing around here - he's won three times and the last two races here.
But don't discount Valtteri Bottas, who was very quick in qualifying, while Max Verstappen just loves to overtake.
It's up for grabs today.
The drivers and team bosses hold a tribute for the late FIA race director Charlie Whiting, who died just days before the start of the season.
RIP Charlie.
Photo: Getty
Norris out to impress
As for Norris, 19, he enjoyed a fantastic start to his career with an impressive eighth position, reaching Q3 In his very first quali session.
Photo: Getty
He's been speaking to Sky Sports F1:
"Trackwise, things feel great so far. Every session felt great. I feel I can adapt to anything thrown at me. I just want a good start into turn one... there's quite a few [butterflies in his stomach].
Russell ready to realise dream
George Russell and Lando Norris will make their F1 race debuts today for Williams and McLaren.
Russell will be starting in 19th after out-qualifying his team-mate Robert Kubica but is a fair bit behind Carlos Sainz in 18th in qualifying. Here's what the 20-year-old said when we spoke to him.
"It's been a lifelong dream to make it in Formula One but it all starts again now. I've made it this far but I don't want to become complacent and take it for granted.
"This is the top of the sport and I've got to give it everything to stay here and have a successful career."
Emotional Hamilton on top again
If anyone was worried if Hamilton still had motivation for the sport, you simply shouldn't. The five-time world champion said he was "shaking" after securing pole.
Photo: AFP
"I'm shaking it was so close out there," Hamilton said. "From testing we had no idea where we would be.
"We were hoping to be where we are. Valtteri did an exceptional job. It was very close."
Having looked good in testing and in free practice, Sebastian Vettel admits he was surprised that the Scuderia couldn't match Mercedes.
"Certainly surprised (by the gap). I think everybody is, probably themselves. Yesterday we did not have a good day, today felt better but the gap was similar. There is some homework we need to do to understand. I still think we have a great car."
After an absorbing first qualifying session of the season on Saturday, it's business as usual as far as Mercedes are concerned.
Lewis Hamilton edged past Valtteri Bottas by a tenth of a second with Sebastian Vettel half a second further back.
It was a fifth straight pole here for Hamilton and the 84th of his career, but that hasn't meant a lot to the 33-year-old over the past two years here as Vettel has won the race in 2017 and 2018.
But who will win today in Melbourne? We'll soon find out!
Norris 'looks terrific' according to Stewart
Three-time Formula One world champion Jackie Stewart has said British rookie Lando Norris "looks terrific", writes Alexander Britton of the Press Association.
Norris, 19, from Bristol, will start his debut Grand Prix in Australia in eighth after a stellar lap of one minute 22.304 seconds in his McLaren.
Photo: AP
The teenager comfortably out-qualified his team-mate Carlos Sainz, who will start 18th and topped established names Kimi Raikkonen, Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo.
Speaking to Press Association Sport, Sir Jackie said: "It's either super amazing or these guys are not driving fast enough - and I don't think that's the case.
"I think he looks terrific. The big thing for him now is to be able to focus, mind-management, because he's clearly got the skills and doing it under pressure.
"To see young talent coming through successfully is a really nice thing to see."
The Scot, winner of the 1969, 1971 and 1973 championships, added the sport was seeing a "crop coming through" which had talent, including Norris and fellow newcomers George Russell and Alexander Albon.
He said: "And there was a very bold decision by Ferrari to bring that young man in (21-year-old Charles Leclerc) to try and fill the shoes of Raikkonen who, carefully, is regularly on the podium.
"There's a crop coming along now that's very good and there's no real reason for it, but it's good."
Australian Grand Prix qualifying results
Hamilton on pole
"I'm shaking, what a beautiful day and thank you to the crowd for a great atmosphere," said Hamilton.
Photo: Getty Images
"The team had no idea during testing what we would be up against and they've worked so hard in the factory and here this weekend.
"The team have worked to perfection."
Welcome to the Evening Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Australian Grand Prix as the 2019 Formula One season gets under way in Melbourne this weekend.