Grand Prix Melbourne 2024 LIVE updates: Verstappen's '75 ...

2.13pm

1.39pm

Formula 1 stewards have given final approval for this year’s starting grid.

It’s worth noting that Zhou Guanyu, of the Kick Sauber team, will start from pit lane after modifications were made to his car.

That means Daniel Ricciardo, 18th on the grid, will be the last visible car in the straight when the green light for the race start goes.

“Car modified whilst under Parc Fermé conditions,” is the official terminology.

1.14pm

1.10pm

There was some drama at the track on Saturday night for the Red Bull juggernaut when Sergio Perez was slapped with a penalty for impeding Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying.

It cost Perez, who initially qualified third, three places on the grid, which was great news for Australia’s Oscar Piastri.

He moves up one spot to fifth for the start of Sunday afternoon’s race, behind Max Verstappen, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Here’s Matthew Clayton’s news from qualifying.

Red Bull racer Sergio Perez.Credit: Getty Images

1.02pm

12.45pm

A young motorsport fan gets into the spirit.Credit: Eddie Jim

Fans of British driver Lewis Hamilton.Credit: Eddie Jim

Australian actor Eric Bana.Credit: Eddie Jim

Australia’s Daniel Ricciardo arrives at the track.Credit: Eddie Jim

12.31pm

12.29pm

Conditions are only mild in Melbourne for today’s late-March scheduling of the Australian Grand Prix. In contrast to recent weekends in Victoria, the top temperature is not expected to be much beyond 20 degrees Celsius. A few race-goers are getting around in shorts, but long pants are more of the order of the day.

Here’s the official BOM forecast:

Partly cloudy. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h tending southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening.