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Formula 1 Australian GP

F1 Australian GP Live Commentary and Updates – Race

Minute-by-minute updates for the 2023 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19

Having followed 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 will start from pole position after beating the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton in qualifying, while Perez will start from pitlane after qualifying last and then making car changes in parc ferme.   

Sunday's race is due to begin at 6:00am BST.

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So a Mercedes 1-2 with a car concept that the team is planning to bin off. Who knows.
The incident was noted but won't be investigated - racing incident, which is fair. And the safety car is coming in at the end of lap three.
Leclerc turned in for Turn 3 from the outside but it squeezes Stroll with Alonso on his inside, so the pair make contact and that pings the Ferrari off into the gravel.
Pit stop
Ocon is the first man into the pits. He had been ninth and comes in to swap onto hard tyres. He's followed in by Zhou, Sargeant and Perez.
Safety car
But disaster further back as Leclerc spins out at Turn 3 just behind the frontrunners - his race is already over! The safety car is out.
Lights out
Russell leads! He gets a super getaway and dives to the inside of Verstappen to take the lead at the first corner. Then Hamilton joins the action and gets by Verstappen at Turn 3!
The drivers are already lining up on the starting grid, so here we go...
Well, apart from Perez and mullet enthusiast Bottas, who remain ready and waiting in the pitlane for the start.
The formation lap is under way, everyone gets away smoothly.
Tyres! Gasly, Ocon, Zhou and Bottas all on softs. De Vries, Sargeant and Perez all on the hards. The rest are on the mediums - which covers everyone in the top eight. That's quite a mix.
Sun
The forecast says no rain today (hint - zero clouds), as temperatures are getting towards the hottest they've been all race weekend - could that get the strategists sweating over the tyre calls?
An emotional rendition of the Australian national anthem is played at the front of the grid - 7/10, needs more pizazz.
All drivers have made their way to the grid without any further hiccups, while Perez and part-time gin salesman Bottas take their place in pitlane.
Breaking news
In non-Australian GP news, plans to make the sprint race format a standalone event within the Azerbaijan GP weekend are coming closer: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-teams-agree-to-pursue-standalone-sprint-format-for-baku/10451984/
Photo

Pre-race vibe checks. Piastri will make his home race debut today - he's not competed on home soil since his karting days!

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Simon Galloway / Motorsport Images

Pitlane starting pair Bottas and Perez get a little too close for comfort on the laps to the grid as they almost make contact. The race hasn't started yet, guys!
Lights green
The pitlane is open and the cars are heading to the grid - the excitement is building.
Breaking news
Bottas joins Perez for a pitlane start due to also having car changes, but given he was due to start 19th anyway, it doesn't lose him any positions. Full story: https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/perez-bottas-to-start-f1-australian-gp-from-pitlane/10451971/
Penalty
Perez won't be sharing the sunny disposition though, given his nightmare in qualifying. The Red Bull driver was due to start last on the grid, but will now blast off from pitlane after car changes in parc ferme.
Sun
After some iffy weather at Albert Park, we have glorious blue sky and sunshine which feels much more Australian. It is still not that warm though, with temperatures struggling to move past 17C - but not so uncommon for the time of year.
Green flag
Goooooood morning (or afternoon) one and all! Nothing much like an Australian GP race day is there?

By: Autosport Staff

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