For the second year running HRT will not contest the Australian GP after both cars failed to qualify and the stewards refused to grant an exemption.

In what proved to be a disappointing Saturday for the backmarker outfit, neither Pedro de la Rosa nor Narain Karthikeyan were able to post a lap within the 107 percent qualifying rule.

As such their fate was left in the hands of the Melbourne stewards.

They, however, ruled against granting the team an exemption.

"The stewards having considered all relevant material decide not to allow both cars to take part in the race in accordance with Article 36.1 FIA Formula 1 Sporting Regulations," said a statement from the stewards.

This is the second successive season in which HRT have missed the Australian Grand Prix.