THE Lewis Hamilton-Ferrari era begins in Melbourne as the greatest show in motorsport returns for another season.
Hamilton, 40, made the switch from Mercedes to the Scuderia official over the off-season and will make his debut for the Italian team as he chases a record-breaking eighth world championship.
The race start was DELAYED after rookie Isack Hadjar crashed out during the formation lap before bursting into tears as he was consoled by Hamilton’s dad.
Fellow rookie Jack Doohan then crashed out on the first lap after a huge spin before last year’s race winner, Carlos Sainz, crashed under the safety car.
Max Verstappen briefly inherited the race lead when McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both went off the track as a rain shower hit the track.
But the Red Bull driver lost his lead to Hamilton when he had to pit in the slippy conditions, with Norris later resuming the lead after the Ferrari driver was forced to pit.
- Race time: 4am GMT
- TV channel: Sky Sports F1
- Live stream: NOW/Sky Sports app
- Grid: Norris, Piastri, Verstappen, Russell, Tsunoda, Albon, Leclerc, Hamilton, Gasly, Sainz, Hadjar, Alonso, Stroll, Doohan, Bortoleto, Antonelli, Hulkenberg, Lawson, Ocon, Bearman.
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