Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has captured a record-equalling pole position at the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Lewis Hamilton Photo: Photosport
The five-time world champion grabbed his eighth pole - and sixth straight - at Albert Park, setting a new track record of one minute 20.48 seconds to pip teammate Valtteri Bottas with Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel third fastest.
Hamilton's effort in Melbourne ensured he joined Michael Schumacher (San Marino GP) and Ayrton Senna (Japanese GP) as the only drivers to claim eight poles at the same Formula One track.
It was Hamilton's 84th career pole, extending his record mark away from nearest on the list Schumacher (68).
Hamilton was challenged by teammate Bottas throughout qualifying but responded in the dying moments to top the timesheets yet again.
"I am shaking, that was so close," Hamilton said.
"It was great to see Valtteri up there. It should be an exciting season."
Hamilton had no idea he had made history.
"I didn't know about that. It is news to me," he said when told about his record-equalling effort.
Vettel tried to put on a brave face after his Ferrari well behind Mercedes despite his team dominating recent testing in Spain.
"I am not too worried. The race is tomorrow and it is not over until the chequered flag," he said.
Asked if he could still win a third straight Australian Grand Prix, Vettel said: "Of course, you never know - I still think we have a good car."
Red Bull's Max Verstappen was "best of the rest" in fourth spot while Vettel's Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc rounded out the top five.
But highly touted Red Bull recruit Pierre Gasly - a Toro Rosso graduate - had a disastrous start with his new team and will start 17th on the grid.
-AAP
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has a record pole position in his sights after topping the timesheets at final practice ahead of Saturday's Australian Grand Prix qualifying in Melbourne.
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has a record pole position in his sights after topping the timesheets at final practice ahead of Saturday's Australian Grand Prix qualifying in Melbourne.
Lewis Hamilton Photo: Photosport
The five-time world champion clocked a lap of one minute 22.29 seconds ahead of Ferrari duo Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc in the one-hour session.
Australia's Renault star Daniel Ricciardo was 10th fastest in the 20-strong field in the final session before qualifying for the Formula One season opener.
Hamilton appears on track to clinch a record eighth overall pole and sixth straight on Saturday at Albert Park. He has won two Australian GP titles but has not tasted victory since 2015.
The Briton looks set to break his duck after finishing 0.26 of a second ahead of Ferrari threat, four-time world champion Vettel, who has won the past two Australian Grand Prix titles.
Hamilton didn't enter the Mercedes garage until 15 minutes into final practice after relaxing in the team hospitality suite and only clocked his first lap halfway through the 60-minute session.
But he quickly sounded his intentions by topping the timesheets with his third lap, losing the lead briefly to Vettel before again stamping his authority.
Ferrari will be encouraged by Vettel and Leclerc's resurgence on Saturday after being left in Mercedes' wake on Friday.
The Ferrari-powered Haas were also big improvers with Romain Grosjean fourth fastest and Kevin Magnussen fifth.
But Ricciardo's former team Red Bull appeared to have plenty of work to do with Pierre Gasly sixth fastest and leading driver Max Verstappen - considered a world title dark horse - back in ninth.
"I think they look a bit shaky. They were trying things with different set-ups overnight and it looks like they are not happy," retired Australian champion Mark Webber said.
"Max (Verstappen) is the now the main guy (with Ricciardo defecting to Renault) - he has got to lead."
Ricciardo finished one place ahead of his Renault teammate Nico Hulkenberg who was 11th fastest.
There was more misery for the once-mighty Williams team.
In his first Formula One round in eight years, Robert Kubica was slowest more than four seconds adrift of Hamilton, one place behind his rookie teammate George Russell.
Kubica bumped into the wall driving into pitlane midway through the session and scattered debris, much to the annoyance of Alfa Romeo driver Kimi Raikkonen, who was trailing behind.
Former world champion Raikkonen - formerly of Ferrari - was 17th fastest.
-AAP
