Australia | Race Highlights F124 Round 3 S2

And Formula 1 is underway in Melbourne. Good reaction time at the front of the field. For George Russell as well, who covers off the inside line of Lewis Hamilton. Max Verstappen following behind. It's Mercedes 1-2 as they head up until Turn 2 now. Mercedes, Mercedes, Red Bull, McLaren, McLaren. That is the start so far. Miro on the back of the keel is making a place as well. There's a lock-up there for Orlando Norris. A big lock-up there for him. It will cost him a lot of time. You can see the gap between him and Verstappen already. As the two Mercedes lead away then from the Red Bull, who is chasing fast-paced behind them. Then comes the McLaren. Then the, I believe, the Aston Martin or Fernando Alonso there. You can see the McLarens really struggling to keep their cars on the road. Lamphy, Andrea Lamphy, down to you. Here he comes then. He's going to chase onto the Williams. These two collided in Saudi Arabia Sorry ladies and gentlemen. Let's just, let's just acknowledge Akeel here. He has gained so many positions in this race. It is insane. Oh, Akeel, down the inside of that Ferrari. Big move there. He's been wanting that for a while. He just missed it. But he's been wanting that move for a while. And they're all coming in the pit lane now. Lewis Hamilton, the first driver in. Let's see what he can do. A brilliant stop from Mercedes. 2.5 second stop there from the McLaren there as well. And he's being held up a lot now because of the Aston Martin. Here comes Akeel then. Can he get a smooth pit stop to put him back out in this race in a good position to charge for the points? You can see a brilliant start there. A bit slow on the rear. 2.9 second stop. Not too bad whatsoever then. As he heads out then you can see. New fresh hard times. Here comes the Red Bull then in the pit lane. And the Mercedes as well. The Red Bull bit slow. Stop there for him as the Red Bull goes. And the Mercedes of George Russell is being held up massively now. He's lost two positions. Three positions. Because he had to wait for the McLaren and the Red Bull to go by. Yeah, and it's been... Ooh. Ooh, sorry. The Alpine of Esteban Ocon, I believe. With smoke raining out the back of his car. Yeah, he's out of this race. First retirement of today is the Alpine of Esteban Ocon. I said that just before, sorry. But he's pulling to the right side of the road. Look at that smoke. Oh, gosh. That is not good. And I'm sure that would be some of the budget for the Alpine. Very upsetting there. Look at that. Oh, yeah. That's Valtteri Bottas in his stakes, Albert. We have a safety car then. Deployed here in Melbourne. And the championship leader, George Russell, sat in P4 at the moment. He needs to finish in the top three if you want to keep hold of that championship lead. Because Akil, currently P5, is fast, rapidly chasing him. So, ladies and gentlemen. Lap 17 out of 20. Still a safety car. It would be Verstappen, Hamilton, Norris, Russell and Akil. That's your top five. And Akil has been rapid today. We've lost, after his crash in Q1, to P5. And I'm sure he'll get more. As he showed that in Bahrain. Crashes is nothing for him. As he crashed out and lost a couple positions and still won the race. And it could happen again. What is your prediction for this race? Let's get this underway. Does he have enough road to sweep around the outside? There is your answer. He did it in the final metres of the corner. But he got the move done. It's going to be quick again. It's going to be very fast. This time, around the outside. To take the place. What a move there by Akil. It is the last lap battle, ladies and gentlemen. Last to P3. He obviously wants more. Verstappen and Hamilton are going to battle it out. Will Verstappen get his nose in front by the end of the race? I'm not sure. Around the outside, the DRS wing is open. And Verstappen! Big move by Verstappen. Amazing. Will Akil be able to take advantage of that battle? He's got his DRS. Hamilton may lose too. He will. Akil. Oh my gosh. He's insane. How brave is he feeling on the brakes? It's a dive bomb move. It's a change of lead. Extraordinary stuff. What a performance. What a comeback. Who wins the Australian Grand Prix? Mate, that race gave me chills. It's Lauday time. We're the drivers of the day. Come on. Great work. Another superb Australian Grand Prix comes to an end then. And it's a thoroughly deserved victory. What a thrilling end to an incredible Grand Prix weekend. Our top three finishers should be incredibly happy with what they were able to achieve out there today. It's been an absolutely wild weekend of Formula 1 action. And I can't wait to see what's next. There you have it. Another amazing Australian Grand Prix. Our top five is Akil, last to first. Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Leonard Norris and Fernando Alonso. And also, Espen Ocon, Valtteri Bottas retire due to engine failure. Thanks for tuning in in another spectacular Australian Grand Prix.