Lewis Hamilton, pole position, Mercedes: "I knew I had the pace, but it was just about putting the sectors together which is not easy. It's the most incredible feeling when you do it on your last lap, with all the pressure and when the smallest mistake could lose you a lot.

"I made a mistake and locked up at the first corner and I was already two tenths down, but I said to myself let's keep going and see what happens. The previous lap wasn't perfect either, I lost time in 13 and 16, but I fixed that and got the time back and the last sector was pretty hard core fast!"

Nico Rosberg, second place, Mercedes: "It's a great day for the team, but there is a lot to do tomorrow. If I think back over the lap, seven thousandths of a second is nothing - a little bit here or there and I could have done it. Second place, it is OK. Sure first is better, but it's a long race ahead, so that's fine."

Daniel Ricciardo, third, Red Bull: "It was good fun out there and the track was improving as qualifying went on. Street circuits keep you on your toes, but it was certainly good fun. I have got a few mates here this weekend and maybe some I don't know about. It's close to home so it's really nice to see a few Aussie flags and hopefully I can see a few more from the podium!"