Francois Montoya (4) and Nicolas Lapierre (5) are among the top-five drivers with at least 10 starts; for pole position, Jean-Eric Vergne (9) is tied for 2nd, followed by Michael Schumacher (4), Nico Hulkenberg (12) and Max Verstappen (15).

The race schedule

Friday 7 March: 10:15 am – 1hr15min pitstops – Race starts 2h55

Saturday 8 March: 12:30 pm – 2hr15min pitstops – Race ends 4h30

Saturday 9 March: 13:30 pm – 2hr15min pitstops – Race ends 5h15

Click here for an updated, detailed schedule.

Photos: SPAF, Team Lotus, Sauber

Gallery of photos: FIA and SPAF press conference.

Race track photos: SPAF, Williams

Images courtesy of Williams F1 Team, Williams F1 Team. Images courtesy of SPAF, McLaren-Honda, Sauber, SPAF, Renault, Sauber-Renault. Images courtesy of FOM (F1) and FIA (WEC). Images courtesy of FOM (F1), FIA (WEC), Williams F1 Team, Renault and Renault-Sauber-Renault, Caterham, Brawn-Honda, SPAF, Haas/Toyota, Renault, Honda, Marussia-Brawn, SPAF, Williams, Lotus, Lotus, Caterham, Caterham, Renault, McLaren-Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Toro Rosso, Renault, Honda, Marussia-Brawn, Caterham, Williams, Caterham, Ligier, McLaren-Honda, HRT, Mercedes-Benz, Caterham, Marussia-Brawn, Williams and Toyota.

The 2018 Formula 1 World Championship is the biggest sporting event on earth – with nearly 30 competitors in over 50 categories. More than 18 million fans are expected to tune in to the 21 Australian Grand Prix events, which take place across six days over 14 weekends in March, along with eight races across four days in the US.

The top three teams from both F1 and WEC remain in the World Championship, while a number of smaller teams have qualified for the 2018 World Championship at the end of each month.

The