Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Live

We questioned Ferrari's strategy in that early part of the race when they didn't make a pit stop, but almost everyone around them did under that virtual safety car.

I still think that may have been the wrong decision, but actually to finish third and fourth, I don't think they've got a car capable of chasing and fighting with the two Mercedes on this particular weekend.

So maybe they've still come out of this, if it remains as it is right now, with the best result they could have found anyway.

Engineer: "Keep pushing. You never know."

As the end of the race is closing in, what have you made of the Australian Grand Prix and the new regulations? Have you enjoyed what you've seen/heard so far? Let us know your thoughts by using the 'Get Involved' button on the page.

Sam: For all the doom and gloom coming into this race, this is a far better racing product than we have had in most races throughout the last few years.

Tom: Good start from Ferrari, certainly so far a improvement from last season.

The Red Bull of Max Verstappen is the quickest car on track in sixth spot, as the two Mercedes of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli, who locked-out the front row yesterday, are heading towards a one-two on Sunday.

The Alpine of Pierre Gasly is still in 10th place and looking good for a point for the French team. Gabriel Bortoleto is also on to collect points for new team Audi in ninth and rookie Arvid Lindblad will be celebrating an eight-place finish if the order stays like this.

Image source, Getty Images

Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Live

Max Verstappen can see this is an opportunity. He's on a much fresher set, albeit of hard tyres compared to Lando Norris' medium tyres.

Those medium tyres have now done quite a few laps on the McLaren.

I think Verstappen is going to close down Norris and probably find a way past.

The Mercedes of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are heading to the end of this race on their older hard tyres, while the likes of the Ferraris, Lando Norris and Red Bull's Max Verstappen are on fresher rubber behind. Charles Leclerc holds the last podium place in third, 14 seconds away from leader Russell.

The message comes in to George Russell that Mercedes are going to the end on these hard tyres, which are 33 laps old.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton was the quickest man on track in fourth place but the purple clock downshifts to Max Verstappen's name two places lower. The Red Bull man has pitted and is now on fresh hard tyres in sixth, chasing down world champion Lando Norris in fifth.

Image source, Getty Images

Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Live

We've got no clarity on exactly what is going to happen, even this far into the race.

"Let's try get him one more time"

Arvid Lindblad has fire in his belly now and wants another bite of the Haas cherry. He's not close enough just yet to make a move, but there are still laps remaining for the teenager to pounce.

It's a British bout between Oliver Bearman and rookie Arvid Lindblad. The Haas driver has the juice in his battery to get the better of the Racing Bulls teenager down at Turn One but the pair continue to scrap throughout the rest of the lap. Bearman is now seventh, Lindblad goes to P8.

Goodbye, Fernando Alonso. I wonder what the China sprint next weekend will bring Aston Martin?

Max Verstappen has overtaken Lando Norris - a graphic on the TV showed the Dutchman had a much better battery recharge than the world champion at certain points of the circuit - and is now running in fifth place. Norris drops to sixth

Aston Martin statement on social media: "The team retires Fernando Alonso from the Australian Grand Prix to conserve components."

Jennie Gow
F1 pit-lane reporter in Melbourne

Fernando Alonso has now officially retired from this race. Lance Stroll in the other Aston Martin has just come in and he's stayed in the pit lane, whether they retire him now is yet to be seen.

George Russell, polesitter in Melbourne, had to scrap with Charles Leclerc in the early stages of this race but the Briton is six secodns clear of his team-mate Kimi Antonelli with the Ferrari man in third as the laps tick away in Melbourne.

Image source, Getty Images

Arvid Lindblad is geting closer and closer to scoring points on his F1 debut as he sits in sixth place, with the Haas of fellow Brit Oliver Bearman just behind in seventh.

Kimi Antonelli is banking the fastest laps of this race consistently but there are decisions to be made for Mercedes as to whether to pit again in this race.

Marc Priestley
Former F1 mechanic on BBC Radio 5 Live

This plays right into the hands of Max Verstappen. We know he's got to stop again, he's on the medium tyre.

It now also looks like everyone around him might have to as well.

Maybe Verstappen and Red Bull have played a bit of a blinder here, he's up to P5, having started last.