Follow the opening day of 2016 F1 season live

Follow the opening Friday of free practice in the 2016 Formula One season live with F1i as we bring you live commentary of the start of the Australian Grand Prix weekend from Albert Park in the Melbourne.

It has been a long winter for teams, drivers, and fans all over the world but wait is finally over as the new F1 campaign gets underway with its traditional opener Down Under.

F1i’s live coverage will bring you all the latest information about what is happening on track as well as news and features from the paddock.

While it had been a sunny week in Australia so far, that it is currently an overcast and damp start though it hasn’t rained for the last hour and a support race is currently helping dry out the track.

A new season naturally means plenty of questions but the main topic will be to see whether Mercedes can be challenged this year after dominating the past two seasons in the 1.6-litre V6 turbocharged era. The reigning Constructors’ champions have repeatedly warned that their nearest 2015 rivals Ferrari have made significant headway over the winter.

The opening free practice session of the year shall give us some early pointers and trends.

Follow the opening day of the 2016 F1 season LIVE

F1i’s Australian Grand Prix preview

2016 F1 season: Team-by-team preview