Despite locking out the front row of the Melbourne grid, McLaren drivers Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button are not getting carried away, realising that in F1 nothing should be taken for granted.

With some already tipping the Woking outfit for title glory, both drivers prefer to take it one step at a time.

"I think over one lap we obviously know the cars that seem quick today," said Button following today's scintillating session. "Whether it's going to be the same at the next race or the race after that it's very difficult to know.

"You could say the bigger teams would have the resources to upgrade the car throughout the year, and I think we've shown in the last couple of years we're very good at that but other teams have also shown that.

"Over a long run I don't think anyone really knows who's going to be quick. We hope that we are. I'm sure that we're going to have some competition tomorrow over the race distance. The Red Bulls obviously weren't so quick today compared to us but you can never discount them. I think they will be quick tomorrow. The same as Lotus, Lotus' long runs seem pretty good as well and Mercedes. It's those four teams I think that we've seen over the winter and also here this weekend have been competitive. The gap between those teams, i don't know what that is yet but I think it'll be those four teams fighting at the front."

Since 2008, the man on pole for the first race has gone on to win the title, it's a prospect that has Hamilton salivating. "It was such a long time ago so I don't really remember too well," he says, reflecting on Melbourne 2008. "But I remember the car was great back then.

"I've got to say the car felt fantastic today and has done all winter," he added. "Obviously we're in a good position, on a good footing, but we can always improve in all areas, so we'll just continue to press as always."

Though not on pole this weekend, Button was on pole here in 2009 in the Brawn and went on to championship success. "This one's got a lot more sponsors on it!" he laughed. "A lot more is expected of us this weekend but I don't think you can compare year to year because things change because we're running on completely different tyres now to then.