Lewis Hamilton (Pole, P2, 18 pts): 7.5/10
Despite the lowered expectations set by Mercedes in pre-season testing, Lewis Hamilton easily topped the timesheets in all three practice sessions in Melbourne. He then set a scorching time in Q3 to capture pole position for the race itself. What could possibly go wrong for the five-time world champion? But as has happened so often in the past, victory in the race itself proved a different matter. This time Hamilton only had himself to blame, a poor launch handing the lead to his team mate Valtteri Bottas heading into the first corner. A damaged floor contributed to Hamilton never looking to have the pace he needed to challenge for the win. Instead, the task became one of tyre preservation and ensuring that he held on to second place from Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel. He met these reduced objectives, but once again Hamilton starts a new season with less than he had been hoping for - and expecting.
