Albert Park, 17 March

Not since the 2010 Japanese GP have we seen a qualifying session take place on Sunday, although on that occasion, as indeed also happened in Suzuka in 2004, the entire grid deciding procedure took place on race day. This time, Q1 was run yesterday, before the Race Director took the wise decision to postpone the last two parts until this morning at 11h00. In fact, conditions were still quite tricky for Q2 and Q3, with proceedings starting on a wet track, with a dry line emerging in time for slick tyres to be used right at the end. Both Ferrari men made it through to the final top ten shoot-out, when Felipe Massa recorded the fourth fastest time, one place ahead of Fernando Alonso.

F1 experts had been reluctant to make any predictions regarding the pit lane pecking order, based on winter testing. But today’s qualifying did reinforce some of the signs seen over the 12 days in Spain: Red Bull again looks to be very quick and Sebastian Vettel on pole and team-mate Mark Webber have locked down the front row. Mercedes also showed good pace in testing and Lewis Hamilton is on the inside of Felipe on row 2, while Fernando shares the third row with the Englishman’s team-mate, Nico Rosberg. For the Prancing Horse the important factor is that it is definitely nearer the pace of the quickest than was the case twelve months ago. In a matter of hours the opening round of the season will get underway. Albert Park has often been the scene of great excitement and drama, even without the threat of rain that still lingers over the Australian track for the early evening start at 17h00. Getting through the opening laps unscathed will be the first priority for Felipe and Fernando and after that, it will be down to skill and strategy as usual.