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Formula 1
Australian GP
F1 Australian GP Live Commentary and Updates – FP3 & Qualifying
Saturday's action from the third round of the 2023 Formula 1 season
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After following Perez to the chequered flag two weeks ago, reigning world champion and Bahrain GP winner Max Verstappen holds a one point lead from his team-mate after snatching a valuable fastest lap point in Jeddah.
All eyes will be on what Red Bull’s rivals can do to halt their charge at Albert Park, a venue the Milton Keynes operation hasn’t tasted victory since Sebastian Vettel’s 2011 triumph.
Verstappen topped Friday's opening practice before Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso headed the field in a rain-affected FP2.
Qualifying takes place on Saturday at 6:00am BST to decide the starting grid for the race on Sunday at 6:00am BST.
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But the battle to get into the top 10 is ultra-close! From Hamilton in eighth to Gasly in 11th, they're all separated by less than half a tenth!
Norris has been really hustling the McLaren around the Albert Park layout and climbs up to 10th. But he's very quickly demoted as Albon and Gasly both improve.
Hulkenberg, once again, is flying and he's still up in sixth, although he has just been relegated one place by Russell.
The Alpines now finally post their first flying efforts and it's eighth for Ocon but Gasly is only 12th - joining Tsunoda, Magnussen, de Vries and Norris in the current drop zone.
Yellow flag
There was a moment for Norris earlier as he got caught out at Turn 3 but, unlike Perez earlier, was able to successfully negotiate the gravel and continue.
The Mercedes drivers now set their first times but they're only good enough for seventh and eighth, while Alonso closes to seven hundredths of Verstappen.
Stopwatch
But now normality is restored and Verstappen is back to the top of the timesheets with a 1m17.219s to go three tenths quicker than Leclerc.
Stopwatch
Leclerc now jumps up to top spot with a time a tenth quicker than Stroll. Sainz is two tenths slower in fifth.
Stopwatch
But Stroll goes fractionally quicker than his Aston team-mate on his first effort. But it's only the Astons who have pushed so far.
Stopwatch
De Vries' opening effort is an unrepresentative 1m27.559s but Alonso is pushing! And he goes top with a 1m17.681s.
As with Q1, worth noting that everyone is on the soft rubber here. Quite a few drivers are on second warm-up laps so will be a while before we get the true picture.
Just as we type that, Verstappen does now join the fray while it's de Vries who is the first to begin a timed lap.
In fact, it's just Verstappen, the Alpines and the Mercedes drivers who haven't yet ventured out.
There's not quite the same rush to head out this time but there's still a flurry of early contenders including the two Ferraris and two Astons.
Green flag
Right, Q2 now begins. Will the Albert Park circuit catch anyone else out in this session?
In terms of weather watch, the immediate threat of rain seems to have abated for now but it's still chilly with the air temperature only 16C.
While Albon is up in eighth, worth remembering that Sargeant lost a chunk of running yesterday with an electrical problem, so it's no surprise he's had an early exit here.
Perez is now back in the Red Bull garage and his Turn 3 woe is the main talking point so far. Once again, Red Bull is entering the race with one hand tied behind its back.
Russell went second right at the end to go just under three tenths slower than Verstappen. Ocon also jumped up so Alonso ended that session fifth.
It's just Bottas on track now and he's not improving so it's Piastri, Zhou, Sargeant, Bottas and Perez who are eliminated.
Leclerc is only 11th at present but Piastri, Zhou and Sargeant have not escaped the dreaded P15 cut-off.
Checkered flag
The chequered flag is now out, so is there time for any more late surprises?
But traffic is proving a nightmare for Piastri as he's struggling to find some clean air to improve his time.
Norris is now 12th as the lap times continue to tumble so it's now both Alfas, Sargeant and Piastri in the danger zone.
Stopwatch
Verstappen improves fractionally again to a 1m17.384s and Hamilton is now into second as he goes three tenths slower than the sole remaining Red Bull.
Magnussen jumps up to 11th and out of the drop zone and now both McLarens are in danger.
Albon improves again to go third - he's looking very impressive here - while Sainz is back up to fourth but Leclerc still languishes in ninth.
So, who's in danger of joining Perez in being eliminated? Currently, with three minutes to go, it's Sargeant, Bottas, local hero Piastri and Magnussen.
Perez is now back in the paddock after his motorbike ride from Turn 3. Helmet still on, it's clear the Mexican's not a happy man.
Stopwatch
But his time at the top is brief as Verstappen now improves to a 1m17.469s to go four tenths quicker.
Stopwatch
Alonso does hook up his latest lap and goes to the top with a 1m17.832s.
It's a bit of mixed-up order now with Hulkenberg staying true to form and mixing with the established frontrunners.
Now it's Ferrari's turn to post a time and Sainz goes third, but Leclerc is half a second slower and is down in ninth.
And now it's Albon up to second, just a tenth off Verstappen!
Alonso has a scruffy lap and is quickly shuffled down to seventh after his first effort. Stroll is third, Hamilton fourth, then it's Albon and Russell. Hulkenberg's earlier attempt keeps him second for now.
Stopwatch
And it's a 1m18.063s for Verstappen as he beats Hulkenberg to top spot - but only by three tenths at this point.
Surprisingly, he doesn't beat Hulkenberg's time in the first sector but does go purple in sector two.
So, Verstappen begins a lap, can he complete it more successfully than his team-mate?
The Mercedes drivers also now join the fray, with the Ferraris having earlier ventured out on scrubbed tyres.
Green flag
And we're green again with just over 11 minutes of Q1 remaining.
By: Autosport Staff
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