Bottas explains costly Melbourne crash

Valtteri Bottas explained the error he made which cost him a chance to fight for pole position at the Australian Grand Prix. The Mercedes smashed into the wall at the start of the final qualifying session, bringing out red flags and wrecking his rear-end.

Bottas' first flying lap in Q3 was over after the first corner, as he dipped onto the kerbs at turn one before touching the grass at two sent him spinning into the wall.

A wet-dry third practice session had left the track with a decidedly green feel to it and Bottas admitted that a damp patch just off the track limits had caught him out after he took a bit too much out of the first corner.

Bottas may well face a grid penalty for the race, while his mechanics in the Mercedes garage face a long Saturday night of repairs.

"I used a bit more track in the exit of turn one, went a bit too wide actually," said Bottas.

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"I was just surprised it was still a bit damp from the rain previously, I lost the rear of the car and tried to correct it but these things happen quickly.

"So nothing I could do really and I hit the wall on the exit of turn two.

"It's very unfortunate and I feel sorry for the team because we have a really competitive car. It looked like it was damaged pretty badly, so I really hope we can fix it for the race."

If Bottas' car does not require a change of engine or gearbox parts he will start 10th and the Finn remains determined to land a big points haul.

"We approach tomorrow with a fighting spirit," he said.

"There are still no points from Saturday, points are given on Sunday and we will go for the race and try and come up as high as we can.

"Overtaking is difficult on this track, but we'll try everything we can. Maybe it's a little easier this year with the added DRS zone, we'll find out tomorrow. We have a good car, so I'll try to fight back the best I can.

"Once we get the car in the window, it seems like it's really quick, so that's something positive from today."

Lewis Hamilton demonstrated the Mercedes' full capability, qualifying on pole with a six-tenths-of-a-second advantage to Ferrari pair Kimi Raikkonen behind.

Hamilton's time of one minute 21.164 seconds lowered the record at Albert Park by eight tenths.

The reigning champion also set the record for pole positions in Australia, a seventh Saturday success moving him beyond Ayrton Senna.