Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton has captured a record-equalling pole position at the Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.

The five-time world champion grabbed his eighth pole – and sixth straight – at Albert Park, setting a new track record of one minute 20.48 seconds to pip teammate Valtteri Bottas with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel third fastest.

Australia’s Renault star Daniel Ricciardo will start from 12th on the grid in Sunday’s 20-strong field.