Motorsport Store
Tickets, Tours & More
Formula 1, MotoGP, Indy
NASCAR & V8 Supercars

Live Formula 1 Coverage

2016 F1 Schedule

2016 F1 Line-up

2015 F1 Results

NewsOnF1 Mobile

10 'n' Pole
Register - Submit

Live F1 Coverage

Motorsport Shop
UK - USA

Motorsport Calendar

F1 Merchandise UK
F1 Merchandise USA

NewsOnF1 on Twitter

Past Formula 1 Seasons
2015 F1 Results
2014 F1 Results
2013 F1 Results
2012 F1 Results
2011 F1 Results
2010 F1 Results
2009 F1 Results
2008 F1 Results
2007 F1 Results
2006 F1 Results
2005 F1 Results
2004 F1 Results
2003 F1 Results
2002 F1 Results
2001 F1 Results
2000 F1 Results
1999 F1 Results
1998 F1 Results
1997 F1 Results

Archives

Diagnosis & Prognosis
By the Heretic

Controversy Corner

The Real Race
By the Quali-flyer

F1 Team Reports

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar | Hurricane Center

Live Update

2013 Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix

1st Friday Practice 2nd Friday Practice Saturday Practice Qualifying

Discussion Thread

Qualifying

Australian Grand Prix - 2013 - Qualifying

(16 & 17/03/2013)

16:45

NewsOnF1:

Welcome to our coverage of the first qualifying session of 2013 taking part at Albert Park in Melbourne

16:46

NewsOnF1:

Usually it is during this session that we get to know the pecking order and which car is the quickest on low fuel however it is raining

16:49

NewsOnF1:

The rain isn't too heavy but it is raining

16:50

NewsOnF1:

We could get a few surprises this session

16:51

NewsOnF1:

Each driver gets four sets of intermediate tyres and three sets of wets for the entire weekend

16:52

NewsOnF1:

The driver lineup for the top 5 teams (according to their order in 2012) are:

Red Bull
Vettel and Webber

Ferrari
Alonso and Massa

McLaren
Button and Perez

Lotus
Raikkonen and Grosjean

Mercedes
Rosberg and Hamilton

16:52

NewsOnF1:

In terms of driver changes this season, the only major change in the top 5 teams is Hamilton moving to Mercedes taking Schumacher's seat and Perez moving from Sauber to McLaren to take Hamilton's seat.

16:52

NewsOnF1:

This season we have 5 rookies

At Sauber, Gutierrez replaces Perez
At Williams, Bottas replaces Senna
At Caterham, van der Garde joins the team
And at Marussia, Bianchi and Chilton take over from Pic and Glock

16:53

NewsOnF1:

The other driver changes is that Sutil returns to Formula 1 after a year's absence. He rejoins Force India taking place of Hulkenberg who moves to Sauber. And Charles Pic moves from Marussia to Caterham

16:55

NewsOnF1:

The practice sessions on Friday appeared to confirm that Red Bull are the team to beat with Ferrari, Lotus and Mercedes close behind while McLaren appeared to struggle

16:56

NewsOnF1:

However given the wet conditions, we will not be able to confirm who has the quickest car

16:57

NewsOnF1:

It is raining heavily now and it is windy as well

16:57

NewsOnF1:

At least at the start it will be full wets

16:58

NewsOnF1:

Start of qualifying has been delayed by 10 minutes

17:00

NewsOnF1:

Reports that Vettel's problem during FP3 was a sensor issue

17:00

NewsOnF1:

Plenty of standing water

17:03

NewsOnF1:

Track marshals are trying to sweep the water off the track. Rain continues to fall but has eased slightly

17:05

NewsOnF1:

Air and track temperature is at 17 degrees

17:06

NewsOnF1:

Medical car exploring the track

17:06

NewsOnF1:

The concern is the streams going across the track

17:07

NewsOnF1:

It is most likely that the session will be delayed further

17:08

NewsOnF1:

The start has been delayed a further 10 minutes

17:09

NewsOnF1:

Start time now expected at 17:20 local time

17:15

NewsOnF1:

For the latest F1 updates, check out the F1 news page, you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook

17:19

NewsOnF1:

Another 10 minute delay

17:20

NewsOnF1:

Now start is scheduled for 17:30

17:21

NewsOnF1:

Rain is expected to stop in the next few minutes

17:25

NewsOnF1:

Plenty of water on the track. Marshals trying to sweep the water off the track but it is still raining

17:29

NewsOnF1:

The cars are lining up in the pit lane

17:30

NewsOnF1:

Session underway

17:31

NewsOnF1:

DRS is disabled

17:31

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton is the first car out with Rosberg behind him

17:32

NewsOnF1:

All 22 cars on the track

17:32

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton starts his first flyer. He goes a bit wide

17:33

NewsOnF1:

van der Garde has gone off

17:33

NewsOnF1:

He is going back to the pits with a wing under his car

17:34

NewsOnF1:

A 1:48.028 for Rosberg

17:34

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton has a problem

17:35

NewsOnF1:

He spins and gets stuck on the wet grass. He reverses and gets going

17:36

NewsOnF1:

Vettel second with a 1:48.525

17:37

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton did not pit and replay showed he touched the barrier backwards

17:37

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg going quicker

17:38

NewsOnF1:

A 1:46.539 for Rosberg

17:38

NewsOnF1:

Vergne second with a 1:47.050

17:38

NewsOnF1:

Vettel 3rd

17:39

NewsOnF1:

Massa has lost his front wing

17:39

NewsOnF1:

Webber goes off too but he recovers

17:40

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton told to pit but he ignores it and keeps going. He goes 3rd

17:41

NewsOnF1:

Massa had a pretty nasty shunt. The team is checking if he has any more damage

17:41

NewsOnF1:

Vergne quickest with a 1:46.339

17:42

NewsOnF1:

Vettel goes quickest with a 1:46.188

17:42

NewsOnF1:

Perez spins but recovers

17:43

NewsOnF1:

Massa still in the pits

17:43

NewsOnF1:

Button goes onto intermediates

17:43

NewsOnF1:

Current order is Vettel, Vergne, Rosberg, Alonso, Hamilton and Grosjean

17:44

NewsOnF1:

6 minutes remain

17:44

NewsOnF1:

Massa goes out

17:45

NewsOnF1:

Everyone now switching to intermediates

17:46

NewsOnF1:

Button and di Resta are quick on the intermediates

17:46

NewsOnF1:

Just over 3 minutes to go

17:47

NewsOnF1:

Button quickest with a 1:45.192

17:47

NewsOnF1:

Massa goes second as di Resta makes a mistake

17:48

NewsOnF1:

Alonso sets a 1:43.850

17:48

NewsOnF1:

Grosjean goes second

17:49

NewsOnF1:

1 minute to go

17:49

NewsOnF1:

Pic hits the wall and loses his wing

17:50

NewsOnF1:

Gutierrez hits the barriers as well

17:50

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg goes quickest with a 1:43.380

17:50

NewsOnF1:

Session over

17:51

NewsOnF1:

Knocked out of Q1: Maldonado, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Chilton, van der Garde and Pic

17:53

NewsOnF1:

Top 10 - Q1
Rosberg
Alonso
Grosejan
Perez
Webber
MAssa
Vettel
Button
Vergne
Hamilton
Pole time in 2012: 1:24.922 (Hamilton)

17:54

NewsOnF1:

At there are 22 cars this year, 6 drivers get knocked out each session instead of 7 in 2012 when there were 24 cars

17:55

NewsOnF1:

11th to 16th:
Raikkonen, di Resta, Hulkenberg, Ricciardo, Bottas and Sutil

17:56

NewsOnF1:

It is raining heavily again

17:57

NewsOnF1:

Start of Q2 delayed by 10 minutes

17:58

NewsOnF1:

Just as the track started to dry out, the drivers will go back on wet when the session restarts. Heavy rain now

18:06

NewsOnF1:

The concern is that visibility could become a major issue as the time is already 6:06 pm

18:08

NewsOnF1:

Q2 delayed by 20 minutes

18:08

NewsOnF1:

Q2 scheduled to start at 18:30

18:13

NewsOnF1:

At least 5 drivers went off and hit the barriers in Q1 and a few more spun but recovered

18:18

NewsOnF1:

Conditions withstanding, in the battle of teammates, rookie Bottas has outqualified Maldonado on debut!
Bianchi outqualifies Chilton and van der Garde will start ahead of Pic (both lost their front wings)
Pic has not made the 107% time but will most likely be allowed to race

18:25

NewsOnF1:

No confirmation yet whether Q2 will start as scheduled

18:25

NewsOnF1:

The medical car checking the track again

18:27

NewsOnF1:

A further 20 minute delay

18:35

NewsOnF1:

Air temperature continues to drop, now at 17 degrees. Track temperature is just 15 degrees

18:39

NewsOnF1:

More rain is predicted. It is hard to imagine that there would be no more delays

18:41

NewsOnF1:

And with the fading light, it seems unlikely that Q2 and Q3 will finish today

18:43

NewsOnF1:

If qualifying isn't resumed today, it remains to be seen whether the qualifying will be completed tomorrow or that the grid is decided upon the results of Q1

18:44

NewsOnF1:

For the latest F1 updates, check out the F1 news page, you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook

18:46

NewsOnF1:

Teams and drivers preparing for the start of Q2

18:47

NewsOnF1:

3 minutes to go

18:47

NewsOnF1:

Qualifying has been delayed to tomorow

18:49

NewsOnF1:

Q2 and Q3 will be run at 11:00 local time on Sunday

18:54

NewsOnF1:

Join us at 11:00 on Sunday for the continuation of our coverage of Qualifying

10:32

NewsOnF1:

Welcome back to our coverage of qualifying

10:33

NewsOnF1:

Qualifying was interrupted yesterday by heavy rain and fading daylight

10:35

NewsOnF1:

Q1 was completed yesterday under wet conditions and knocked out were: Maldonado, Gutierrez, Bianchi, Chilton, van der Garde and Pic

10:35

NewsOnF1:

Q2 will resume at 11:00 local time, that is in 25 minutes

10:36

NewsOnF1:

It is not raining however the track is wet

10:38

NewsOnF1:

Furthermore, there is a 40% chance of rain around race time!

10:43

NewsOnF1:

It isn't the first time qualifying is run on Sunday however it is a rare occurrence and has happened in the past due to severe weather conditions.

10:49

NewsOnF1:

Qualifying will be very interesting with a drying track!
It is cold in Melbourne! Air temperature is 14 degrees and track is 13 degrees!

10:54

NewsOnF1:

Air temperature goes up by 1 degree. It is windy as well

10:55

NewsOnF1:

Q2 is set to start on intermediates

10:55

NewsOnF1:

5 minutes to start of Q2

10:57

NewsOnF1:

The two Toro Rosso's waiting at the pit exit

10:58

NewsOnF1:

Just to create more chaos, some rain is expected during qualifying too!

10:58

NewsOnF1:

Just to create more chaos, some rain is expected during qualifying too!

10:58

NewsOnF1:

And the two Mercedes head out into the pit lane

11:00

NewsOnF1:

Q2 gets underway

11:00

NewsOnF1:

9 cars on the track already

11:01

NewsOnF1:

Now all drivers on the track

11:02

NewsOnF1:

Team tells Vettel that there is potential rain coming

11:02

NewsOnF1:

Track very wet in parts and almost dry in other parts!

11:03

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg quick and so is Raikkonen

11:04

NewsOnF1:

A 1:40.423 for Rosberg

11:04

NewsOnF1:

Webber second and Alonso third for the time being

11:05

NewsOnF1:

Perez sets a 1:40.868

11:05

NewsOnF1:

Raikkonen goes wide and recovers and so does Vettel

11:06

NewsOnF1:

A 1:38.930 for Rosberg!

11:06

NewsOnF1:

Alonso goes second

11:06

NewsOnF1:

Vettel now quickest with a 1:38.647

11:07

NewsOnF1:

These are very tricky conditions.

11:08

NewsOnF1:

Vettel and Alonso swap fastest times

11:08

NewsOnF1:

A 1:37.640 for Vettel, now Button in second

11:08

NewsOnF1:

Alonso in 3rd from Grosjean and Vergne

11:09

NewsOnF1:

Rosberg goes quickest with a 1:37.325

11:09

NewsOnF1:

Perez on the super softs

11:10

NewsOnF1:

Alonso pits and puts on intermediates again

11:10

NewsOnF1:

Perez is struggling

11:10

NewsOnF1:

Button also on the super softs

11:11

NewsOnF1:

Perez pits and goes back out on super softs!

11:12

NewsOnF1:

Button also struggling on super softs. It is still wet on the back part of the track

11:12

NewsOnF1:

Just under 3 minutes remain

11:12

NewsOnF1:

Just under 3 minutes remain

11:12

NewsOnF1:

A 1:36.194 for Rosberg

11:13

NewsOnF1:

Vettel second and Hamilton third

11:13

NewsOnF1:

Alonso goes second with a 1:36.722

11:14

NewsOnF1:

Button goes back on intermediates

11:14

NewsOnF1:

Button goes back on intermediates

11:15

NewsOnF1:

Session over

11:15

NewsOnF1:

Button down in 11th. He is on a flyer

11:16

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton goes second with a 1:36.925

11:16

NewsOnF1:

Massa goes 4th

11:16

NewsOnF1:

Button takes 4th from Massa

11:17

NewsOnF1:

So knocked out of Q2: Hulkenberg, Sutil, Vergne, Ricciardo, Perez and Bottas

11:19

NewsOnF1:

Top 10 - Q2
Rosberg
Webber
Hamilton
Button
Massa
Alonso
Vettel
di Resta
Raikkonen
Grosjean
Pole time in 2012: 1:24.922 (Hamilton)

11:21

NewsOnF1:

So the track wasn't really ready for dry tyres. It will be interesting to see who will take the gamble now. Rosberg impressive

11:23

NewsOnF1:

Air temperature is up to 16 degrees. Track remains at 13 degrees. It is cold!

11:23

NewsOnF1:

Q3 is underway, now one goes out

11:24

NewsOnF1:

Now Rosberg goes out followed by Hamilton and Webber

11:24

NewsOnF1:

So far all are out on intermediates

11:24

NewsOnF1:

The first part of the track is pretty much dry and a line is starting to appear

11:25

NewsOnF1:

The drivers are probably going to put a flyer on intermediates then go out on drys

11:26

NewsOnF1:

Button and di Resta still in the pits

11:27

NewsOnF1:

Vettel goes quickest from Hamilton and Rosberg

11:28

NewsOnF1:

Button goes out on dry tyres

11:29

NewsOnF1:

They all pit

11:29

NewsOnF1:

They all go on super softs

11:30

NewsOnF1:

Button starts his flyer

11:31

NewsOnF1:

Button quicker in S2 than Vettel's time

11:31

NewsOnF1:

Button goes quickest with a 1:32.485

11:31

NewsOnF1:

Hamilton flying

11:32

NewsOnF1:

A 1:29.184 for Hamilton

11:33

NewsOnF1:

A 1:27.407 for Vettel

11:34

NewsOnF1:

Webber goes second and Hamilton in third

11:34

NewsOnF1:

Session over

11:35

NewsOnF1:

Vettel takes pole from Webber and Hamilton

11:35

NewsOnF1:

Massa in 4th ahead of Alonso, Rosberg, Raikkonen, Grosjean, di Resta and Button

11:44

NewsOnF1:

Top 10 - Q3
Vettel1:27.407
Webber1:27.827
Hamilton1:28.087
Massa1:28.490
Alonso1:28.493
Rosberg1:28.523
Raikkonen1:28.738
Grosejan1:29.013
di Resta1:29.305
Button1:30.357
Pole time in 2012: 1:24.922 (Hamilton)

11:47

NewsOnF1:

The Australian Grand Prix starts at 17:00 local time (6:00 GMT)

11:47

NewsOnF1:

For the latest F1 updates, check out the F1 news page, you can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook

12:32

NewsOnF1:

Qualifying Results

The following resources on the web provide live coverage of the Formula 1 Season

Australian F1 Grand Prix - Discussions, commentary and results

Follow NewsOnF1 updates on Twitter

Join NewsOnF1 on Facebook

Race Archive (Coverage of all the sessions from previous events)

2015

Australia

2014

Australia Malaysia Bahrain China Spain Monaco Canada Austria Britain Germany

Hungary Belgium Italy

2013

Australia Malaysia China Bahrain Spain Monaco Canada Britain Germany Hungary

Belgium Italy Singapore Korea Japan India Abu Dhabi United States Brazil

2012

Australia Malaysia China Bahrain Spain Monaco Canada Europe Britain Germany

Hungary Belgium Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi United States Brazil

2011

Australia Malaysia China Turkey Spain Monaco Canada Europe Britain

Germany Hungary Belgium Italy Singapore Japan Korea India Abu Dhabi Brazil

2010

Bahrain Australia Malaysia China Spain Monaco Turkey Canada Europe Britain

Germany Hungary Belgium Italy Singapore Japan Korea Brazil Abu Dhabi

2009

Hungary Europe Belgium Italy Singapore Japan

Loading

F1 Tickets

European F1 GP (Valencia)

United States F1 GP

Abu Dhabi F1 GP

VIP F1 Paddock Club Tickets

MotoGP Tickets

Netherlands MotoGP

Catalunya MotoGP

Portuguese MotoGP

Valencia MotoGP

MotoGP VIP Village Tickets

more Motorsport Tours & Holidays

Australian F1 Grand Prix Tour package

Clipsal 500 Adelaide package