F1 LIVE: Australian GP delayed after crash on formation lap as Hamilton’s dad helps out

Lap 24/57

Hamilton is now cutting a very exasperated figure and needs to work something out quickly.

The new boy cannot find a way past Albon, and he is losing two seconds a lap as a result with the gap ever widening.

He is dropping way back from his team mate ahead, while Tsunoda is duly getting a free ride in P6.

Lap 22/57

Verstappen remains breathing down the neck of the one-two, meaning the ideal window to change tyres isn’t really presenting itself.

The tread really needs to be switched quickly on the cars, but are locked worryingly on the tail.

Lap 19 brings bad fortune for the reigning champion, as Verstappen locks up at a pivotal moment and the replays are rather telling.

Slow motion footage shows the man kicked up water droplets from a puddle on the kerb rather than gravel, but an easy overtake for Piastri was permitted nonetheless.

Verstappen immediately radios to say his tyres are done.

Yuki Tsuoda is also under investigation, while has noted alongside Hamilton.

The verdict has now come in for all of these drivers, with no action to be taken against any.

The officials now getting involved.

Fernando Alonso is one of two currently under investigation, while new boy Hamilton has just been noted.

Moments ago Kimi Antonelli just undid all of his own good work with a lapse of concentration and a momentary spin off track. He regains composure to continue, but loses several places.

We now enter lap 19.

Into lap 13/57 and things are cranking up a notch.

Norris leads, with Verstappen hot on his tail, as the rest of the field remains rammed with drivers jostling for space and contemplating the level of risk on this rain soaked track.

Harmony is not present in the camp, with Charles Leclerc becoming irate.

“Can you leave me alone a little bit more,” Leclerc asks his race engineer, after being told to manage the front left.

DRS has just been enabled, but Norris has pulled out a 1.2s lead over Verstappen. Piastri takes a boost from this though, he is within a second of the Dutchman.

Norris currently has a nice free track ahead of him.

Anthony Hamilton has just been plastered all over the Sky cameras after showing his class.

Lewis’s dad immediately stepped in to offer his assistance and reassuring words, as the rookie Kadjar was making his way from the pitt.

Hadjar was warming up his tyres in extremely wet conditions when he lost the rear of the car at Turn Two, spinning into the barriers and destroying the rear of his Racing Bulls machine.

The crash was a brutal debut moment for Hadjar, who impressed on Saturday in qualifying, securing the best grid slot of any of the six rookie drivers in the field.

Hamilton snr quickly located the youngster and made sure to console him, as he trudged from the scene looking entirely gutted.

We’re now waiting for marshals to remove Doohan’s Alpine and clear the debris covering the track.

The drivers are now behind told no more rain is expected for half an hour.

The racing line is drying, meaning a strategic masterclass upon the restart is very much in the offing, should somebody choose to step up to the plate.

Well, talk about chaos.

We knew the weather was going to be questionable, and fully expected for the start to be lively… but this is something else.

Rookie star Isack Hadjar was the first unlucky candidate, after crashing out on the formation lap and leaving his new car battered and bruised.

Following a delayed reset, and the introduction of a safety car, we quickly saw our next offering of mayhem, with both and Jack Doohan crashing out on the first lap.

Well, it’s certainly an early one.

If you’re up and tuned in, you’re certainly an official F1-nut.

It’s lights out here in Australia, with the first race of the season sparking into action.

Already we’ve seen drama, with crashes on the formation bringing proceedings to a stand-still and causing a delayed start with the safety car.