2015 Australian Grand Prix Thursday Snapshot

The paddock at the Albert Park Circuit was a hive of activity on Thursday, ahead of the F1 2015 season opener.

© Octane Photographic

This year's grid spoke to media, walked the track and met with fans, while mechanics and engineers prepared for the weekend ahead. Here is the Australian Grand Prix build-up in pictures.

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Wednesday

© Twitter/Sahara Force India F1 Team

For a number of drivers, media work for the first round of the season started on Wednesday. 

© Twitter/Nico Rosberg

Nico Rosberg used Melbourne's public transport to drop of the Australian Grand Prix trophy.

© Lotus F1 Team

© Sahara Force India F1 Team

© Twitter/Manor Marussia F1 Team

Meanwhile several teams, including Lotus, Force India and Manor, opted to complete the track walk on Wednesday.

Thursday

© Scuderia Ferrari

Kimi Raikkonen and his new team-mate Sebastian Vettel met with fans at the Albert Park Circuit.

© Twitter/Valtteri Bottas

Valtteri Bottas gave fans a glimpse at his driver room ahead of the first race of the year, also showing off the Williams team's new team kit.

© Twitter/F1 Paddock Pass

The V8 Supercars took to the track for practice and qualifying on Thursday.

© Twitter/F1 Paddock Pass

Meanwhile the Australian F1 fans were out on force for the pit walk earlier in the day.

© Lotus F1 Team

Romain Grosjean spoke with broadcast media outside the Lotus hospitality area.

© Twitter/Manor Marussia F1 Team

Meanwhile the two Manor drivers completed media work on Thursday, speaking in front of fans.

© Octane Photographic

Kevin Magnussen, standing in for Fernando Alonso in Australia, was met with a warm welcome from supporters when he arrived at the circuit.

© Twitter/McLaren F1

Jenson Button visited a Honda dealership to unveil Australia's first NSX.

© Twitter/Roberto Merhi

Roberto Merhi showed off the car that he will be driving this weekend, which features no sponsorship.

© Twitter/F1 Paddock Pass

© Twitter/Toro Rosso Spy

Several teams, including Mercedes and Toro Rosso, completed pit stop practice on Thursday in preparation for Sunday's race.

© Twitter/Sahara Force India F1 Team

Nico Hulkenberg spoke to print and online journalists in a media session, sharing his thoughts on the weekend ahead.

© Lotus F1 Team

Grosjean and his team-mate Pastor Maldonado met with fans and signed autographs.

© Twitter/Mercedes AMG Petronas

© Twitter/Mercedes AMG Petronas

 It was a busy start to the day at Mercedes, with a media event for F1 journalists in Melbourne.

© Twitter/Red Bull Racing

Daniel Ricciardo had a rather unusual request when meeting with the fans. One person asked the Aussie to sign his face.

© Octane Photographic

Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Bottas and Max Verstappen attended the first driver press conference of the year.

© Twitter/Lotus F1 Team

© Twitter/Lotus F1 Team

© Twitter/McLaren F1

© Twitter/Mercedes AMG Petronas

Across the paddock, it was photoshoot time for the 2015 grid.