Valtteri Bottas believes picking up a good haul of points at the opening Formula 1 round in Australia this weekend will be key for Williams’ title prospects.

The 25-year-old Finnish driver, who finished fourth in the standings last year, is hoping to be quick out of the blocks at Melbourne Park.

Formula 1’s opening prac - tice sessions were getting under way during the early hours of this morning.

Grove-based Williams beat Ferrari to third place in the constructors’ championship in 2014.

And Bottas says a decent start is important if he and teammate Felipe Massa can help Williams battle with frontrunners Mercedes – spearheaded by reigning champion Lewis Hamilton.

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He continued: “The weekend will be important as we have to be able to have a strong start and make sure we gain the most from it, especially as other teams improve.

“You never know how other teams will progress throughout the season, so points here are key.”

Brazilian Massa, who crashed out on the first lap last year, added: “It’s important to start well and give yourself potentially a head start over your competitors.

“I also hope that I personally have a better start to the season than last year.”

Lotus, who are based in Enstone, are hoping for a better year in comparison to 2014’s miserable campaign.

Drivers Romain Grosjean and Pastor Maldonado scored ten points between them, and neither driver finished in Australia after qualifying on the back row.

However, Grosjean is in positive spirits after an optimistic winter of testing.

The Frenchman said: “We are in a much better shape than we were a year ago and that is very positive for all of us.

“I am certainly a much happier man.

“We will do our best, but the first goal is to score points – to be in the top ten.”