F1 to observe one-minute silence

They may be bitter rivals on track, but the F1 fraternity will come together in a show of unity for those affected by the recent natural disasters in Japan, Australia and New Zealand.

The FIA has announced that teams and drivers will observe a one-minute silence as a tribute to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, which is understood to have claimed 10,000 lives, with 17,500 people still missing after the earthquake hit the north-east of the country two weeks ago, but will also reflect on the flooding that hit the state of Queensland in Australia and the Christchurch earthquake, both of which also claimed lives.

The mark of respect will take place on the grid ahead of Sunday's season-opening grand prix in Melbourne.

The twelve teams have also paid tribute by carrying stickers on their cars, while a number of drivers have either carried stickers or specially-designed helmet liveries to pay personal respects.

"We wanted to show that Japan was in the thoughts of all of us, which is why we ran with a sticker dedicated to the people of a country that has brought a lot to F1," Ferrari's Fernando Alonso noted.