Formula 1 is set for a condensed calendar in 2016 after organisers of the Australian Grand Prix confirmed that their season-opening event will take place on the first weekend in April. Formula 1 campaigns have usually begun in mid-March but next year's event in Melbourne will take place on April 3, allowing for an earlier start time due to daylight saving time. It is not clear yet why Formula 1 management has opted to compact next season's races into a shorter time frame. "It's fantastic […]

Sebastian Vettel cut an upbeat figure after taking a podium for Ferrari on his debut for the team in Australia. Vettel beat Felipe Massa to third position to collect 15 championship points and afterwards labelled Ferrari the most improved team over the winter. "The start was not the best, there was too much wheelspin and when I tried to hold the inside line, my tyres were still too cold," he said. "We had a great race strategy, which allowed us to jump the Williams, which had […]

Sauber duo Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson praised their team after they both collected the first points of their Formula 1 career at the Australian Grand Prix. Nasr finished his very first Formula 1 race in fifth place after holding off the advances of Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo before eventually pulling clear of his rival. "I am very happy with fifth position in my first ever Formula 1 race," said Nasr. "It is such a big relief for the team and myself that we are […]

Lewis Hamilton hailed his Mercedes team after he was able to begin his bid for a third title in emphatic fashion by following up pole position with victory and the fastest lap at the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton led for all but one lap - through the pit stop phase - to win the opening round of the campaign for only the second time in his Formula 1 career. "It's quite unbelievable, really, what this team has done," he said. "It's a great feeling to […]

Daniel Ricciardo has admitted that Red Bull is facing an uphill challenge after he could finish only sixth at the Australian Grand Prix. Ricciardo struggled for pace throughout due to inconsistencies delivered from the Renault engine and was unable to catch Sauber's Felipe Nasr, as he came home a lap down on winner Lewis Hamilton. "It wasn’t the most exciting race," he said. "After the start I was able to stay with Nasr, but I wasn’t able to get close enough to make the move. […]

Jenson Button says he was encouraged to reach the finish of the Australian Grand Prix, despite coming home two laps down in 11th position. Button spent much of the race at the back of the pack though briefly battled with Sergio Perez, before falling back to last position. "We’re still a long way off, but this is a good starting point – and I enjoyed the race," he said. "I even had a good little battle with Checo [Perez]. Today also really helps in terms […]

Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez were delighted to take home points for Force India as the squad recovered from a troublesome pre-season at the Australian Grand Prix. Hulkenberg collected seventh, while Perez recovered from a collision with Jenson Button to round out the top 10. "I am very pleased with today's result and starting the season with two cars in the points is always positive," said Hulkenberg. "It was a good race; I didn't make any mistakes and, while the reliability of our car helped […]

World Champion Lewis Hamilton claimed victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in a race which had only 15 starters. Hamilton kept team-mate Nico Rosberg at bay throughout as the Mercedes pair dominated proceedings, with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel in third. Hamilton retained the lead into Turn 1 but behind him the two Ferrari drivers made contact, with Felipe Nasr forced to take evasive action, in turn pitching Pastor Maldonado into the barriers on the outside of Turn 2. It was a dismal opening lap for […]

Williams has confirmed that Valtteri Bottas will not participate in the Australian Grand Prix on medical grounds. Bottas complained of back pain after qualifying in sixth position and following a precautionary trip to a nearby hospital, Bottas returned to his hotel to recover. But on Sunday morning Bottas was ruled out of action, meaning that Williams will field just one car in Sunday's race. "It can be confirmed that the scans revealed that Valtteri had suffered has a very small tear in the annular part […]

Ferrari drivers Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen were left to lament mistakes during their hot laps in the final part of qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix. Vettel and Raikkonen will line up in fourth and fifth places for the race, though both drivers reckon they made errors which cost them a chance of claiming third position. "It’s a shame that third place escaped us, as that would have made us the first team behind Mercedes, but it wasn’t by much and, after all the […]

Manor Marussia say they are disappointed not to participate in the Australian Grand Prix but are sure that future races will be better for the team. The squad arrived in Australia after a rescue package was formalised last month but neither Will Stevens nor rookie team-mate Roberto Merhi were able to take to the circuit in either practice or qualifying. "It goes without saying that I’m disappointed that we ran out of time for qualifying," said Stevens. "Disappointed not just for me, but for the […]

Valtteri Bottas has been taken to hospital in Melbourne as a precaution after complaining of back pain during qualifying. Bottas was seen running wide at the final corner and after qualifying in sixth place he was checked by the FIA doctors before being taken to Alfred Hospital. Bottas' participation in the race will be determined by medics on Sunday morning. "It was great to finally start the season and to have a very tight qualifying session," said Bottas. "The car performed well and we were […]