The FIA had earlier made a rain hazard declaration ahead of Sunday’s 57-lap race.

Kimi Antonelli has won the last two races to lead the standings by nine points.

The Australian edged out Kimi Antonelli by 0.092 seconds in Suzuka with George Russell third.

The four-time world champion Red Bull driver did not finish the Chinese Grand Prix following an engine failure.

George Russell took second on the grid as Mercedes secured a second straight front-row lockout.

Hamilton had to settle for third as Russell – a winner in Australia six days ago – took the chequered flag 0.6 seconds clear of Charles Leclerlc.

Russell is leading the drivers’ standings for the first time in his career.

Russell traded the lead with Ferrari rival Charles Leclerc five times during a frenetic start.

The British driver, 28, arrived for the new campaign in Melbourne as the bookmakers’ favourite.

The seven-time Formula One champion also outlined his ambition to compete in a grand prix on African soil before the end of his career.

The 41-year-old is the most decorated driver in F1 history but he will head into Sunday’s curtain-raiser in Australia with a point to prove.

The seven-time world champion endured a difficult debut season with Ferrari, failing to secure a podium as he finished sixth in the standings.

The star-studded event was packed with famous faces both on and off the field.

The Briton made an astonishing admission after qualifying 12th for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion had been due to start 16th after he was eliminated in Q1.

The British driver set a new record around the streets of Monte Carlo to beat local hero Charles Leclerc to pole by 0.109 seconds.

Piastri and Lando Norris completed a McLaren one-two, with George Russell third and Hamilton back in sixth.

Hamilton posted 30 laps at Ferrari’s Fiorano test circuit.

Hamilton’s Mercedes career will come to an end on Sunday.

Hamilton endured a torrid weekend in his penultimate race for the Silver Arrows.

Russell took the third win of his career under the Las Vegas lights.

Hamilton will complete a demonstration run in the car that carried Senna to the second of his three titles in 1990 in Interlagos on Saturday.

Charles Leclerc led home a Ferrari one-two.

Championship leader Max Verstappen will start sixth on the grid in Baku.

Hamilton finished 0.093 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell in the last tune-up before qualifying in Italy.

The 24-year-old has emerged as Verstappen’s closest rival.

Norris was trailing Verstappen heading into the final runs at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya before he delivered the goods to take top spot.

Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will lead to a big shake-up on the Formula One grid.

The seven-time world champion and Mercedes have been on the backfoot so far this season.

Hamilton is set to make his first public appearance since news broke of his decision to quit Mercedes on Wednesday

Hamilton (39) will leave Mercedes at the end of the year to replace the Spaniard in 2025

Hamilton was speaking at the federation’s prize-giving gala in Baku.

Mercedes cling on to second place in the constructors’ championship.

The British driver started from top spot in Saturday’s 24-lap dash to the chequered flag in Interlagos.

The British driver, 23, beat world champion Max Verstappen to top spot by 0.061 seconds.

The Mercedes driver and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc were punished for identical breaches.

Verstappen was imperious around the high-speed corner circuit at Suzuka.