F1 Australian Grand Prix 2015: As it happened

LAP 58/58 - Hamilton takes the win in the first race of the season, with teammate Rosberg in second.

Vettel finishes on the podium in his debut for Ferrari.

Hamilton WINS!!! Starts title defence in style.

FINAL LAP!! Hamilton should beat Rosberg as the gap is now 2 sconds

2 LAPS TO GO!! Vettel looks comfortable for a podium finish, ahead of Massa by 4 seconds.

2 LAPS TO GO!! Ericsson takes Carlos Sainz. Both Sauber's in the points.

3 LAPS TO GO. Rosberg closing in on Hamilton, just 1.7 secs behind.

Five laps to go!!!

LAP 51/58 - Positions remain the same as Button reports a problem. Kimi could have a penalty for Malaysian Grand Prix due to the unsafe release.

Hamilton setting consecutive fastest laps as he pulls away from teammate Nico Rosberg.

Kimi gets out of his car after the left rear wheel was not fixed properly

LAP 47/58 - Jenson Button the only driver in the race running outside the points

LAP 43/58 - Only 11 cars remain in the race following Kimi's retirement. Ferrari will be investigated for an unsafe release on Kimi's car after the race.

LAP 42/58 - Kimi goes into the pits comes out in fifth and then pulls up after two turns and shuts the engine off. On his way back to the pits. Not in his car but on the stewards scooter.

The Ferrari pit crew have messed up yet again for Kimi and not fitted the left rear tyre properly leading to the driver parking on the side of the track.

LAP 42/58 - Kimi OUT!!!!

LAP 39/58 - Positions remain the same. Perez comes into the pit and goes on to the soft tyres for the final 18 laps.

LAP 37/58 - Nico Rosberg sets the fastest lap. Kimi six seconds behind Massa, but has one more stop to go.

LAP 35/58 - Verstappen stops at the end of the track with an engine problem

LAP 33/58 - Kimi sets yet another fastest lap as Verstappen makes his first stop.

LAP 31/58 - Kimi on the soft tyre sets the fastest lap. But is 10secs behind Massa in fourth. And he has to stop again.

LAP 27/58 - Rosberg comes into the pit. Hamilton takes over the lead yet again.

LAP 26/58 - Vettel pits and comes out ahead of Massa. Ferrari's strategy of staying out longer. Carlos Sainz has a problem when he pitted and loses his position on the track

Hamilton pits!!! Rosberg takes over the lead.

LAP 22/58 - Positions remain the same. Hamilton looks comfortable in front. Nico maintaining the 2.3secs gap. Sauber driver's doing well.

Massa pits. Medium compound tyre on.

LAP 19/58 - Kimi sets fastest lap on fresh set of soft tyres. Massa complains of tyre graining.

LAP 17/58 - Kimi pits!! but there is a problem fixing the rear tyre and gets delayed. Kimi carrying a problem after his coming together with Vettel in the first lap.

LAP 16/58 - Button turns into Perez to cause the spin. With only 13 cars remaining Button is reminded by his engineer that he could score points today.

LAP 14 / 58 - Perez spins trying to make a move on Button but the Mexican gets going again after leaving some debris on the track.

LAP 13/58 - Jenson Button and Sergio Perez batlling for 12th and 13th place. Button ahead for now.

LAP 12/58 - All cars remain in the same positions with Kimi still chasing Ricciardo. One-stop strategy is the way to go according to the experts.

LAP 11/58 - Kimi being held up by Ricciardo in the Red Bull. The Finn is unable to pass. Nasr doing a good job in fifth place for Sauber.

LAP 4 / 58 - The race gets underway. Hamilton leading Rosberg with Massa ahead of Vettel and Sauber's Nasr in fifth.

LAP 1 / 58 - Raikkonen and Vettel make contact on the first turn. Kimi down in eighth as a result. Romain Grosjean retired from the race. Both Lotus' out of the race.

LAP 1 / 58 - Safety Car!! Hamilton leads Rosberg. Lotus of Pastor Maldonado in the wall

The Lights are out!! The 2015 Australian GP is a go!!

Drivers coming to the end of their warm-up lap. Race start in two minutes.

Casualties before the start of the race!!

McLaren's Kevin Magnussen will not race after the Honda engine blew on the way to lining up on the grid.

Red Bull Racing driver Daniil Kvyat is also out of the race due to gearbox problems

Williams have explained why they can't replace Valtteri Bottas with their reserve driver Susie Wolff

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas has been ruled out of the race with back pain. The Williams team will run only one car at Albert Park.

Good morning and welcome to IBTimes UK's LIVE coverage of the 2015 Australian Grand Prix. The race is scheduled to get started at 5.00am GMT.