Lewis Hamilton will be on pole for the first race of the new Formula One season in Melbourne . `` I think we have made a big step forward with the car , but of course I 'm not happy that we did n't make it to Q3 , '' he said . Mercedes ' snatches top spot from Red Bull 's new driver Daniel Schumacher . Ricciardo impresses the fans as he beats Mercedes ' Nico Rosberg to front row . Two - time world champion Sebastian Vettel will start 12th after engine management issues .
Lewis Hamilton will be on pole for the first race of the new Formula One season in Melbourne . Mercedes ' snatches top spot from Red Bull 's new driver Daniel Schumacher . Ricciardo impresses the fans as he beats Mercedes ' Nico Rosberg to front row . Two - time world champion Sebastian Vettel will start 12th after engine management issues .