F1 qualifying LIVE: Australian Grand Prix updates as Lewis Hamilton battles into Q3

LIVE – Updated at 08:08

Follow all the action as qualifying gets underway at the Australian Grand Prix.

Charles Leclerc leads the drivers’ standings after two races, with victory at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix followed by a second-place finish behind reigning world champion Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabia. Ferrari looked to have the pace again around Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit with Carlos Sainz topping FP1 before Leclerc seized the initiative in FP2, although Verstappen was lurking right behind. There were encouraging signs for Alpine too, with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon both inside the top six on Friday.

Video: Formula One preview: A lap of the Australian Grand Prix (Evening Standard)

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