Australia – Free Practice 2: Hamilton Drives the Point Home

The first day of the season continues on its way with the second practice session. At the green light, Romain Grosjean picks up where he left off last season by being the first to hit the track.

Here we go…#FP2 #AusGP 🚥 pic.twitter.com/6tqJDioa2o

— Haas F1 Team (@HaasF1Team) March 15, 2019

The Frenchman finishes his flying lap in 1:25.634. After 10 minutes of the session, Pierre Gasly steps up and takes the best time with a 1:25.401, while Kimi Räikkönen gets too greedy going into turn 1. A small detour into the grass for the Finn. A few minutes later, it’s his former teammate Sebastian Vettel who goes in too hard at turn 1.

After the traffic at the start of the session, Lewis Hamilton finally gets a clear track to chase the clock, fitted with mediums, and secures a 1:23.582. He further improves with a 1:23.206 and then a 1:23.148. The new Pirelli tires are proving to be more durable this season, allowing drivers to string together fast laps.

As the mid-session approached, the Scuderia decided to send its drivers to chase performance on soft tires with red sidewalls. After attempts, Sebastian Vettel placed 4th, Charles Leclerc 8th, which is not very impressive knowing that Hamilton and Bottas are leading on medium tires. Conversely, Kimi Räikkönen shone with the 5th best time driving the Alfa Romeo-Sauber, followed by Nico Hülkenberg with the Renault.

Ranking point at mid-session: Bottas, Hamilton, Gasly, Vettel, Räikkönen, Hülkenberg, Ricciardo, Verstappen, Leclerc, Grosjean, Kvyat, Magnussen, Stroll, Giovinazzi, Pérez, Albon, Norris, Sainz, Russell, Kubica.

Challenged only by his teammate in the quest for the best time, Lewis Hamilton continues to dominate this session by constantly improving his mark. He registers a 1.22.600, placing him 48 thousandths behind Valtteri Bottas but, more importantly, over eight-tenths faster than the 3rd fastest time held by Pierre Gasly, closely followed by Vettel, Räikkönen, and Hülkenberg within a second.

At this moment, the session enters its final third, it is 7:00 am French time and Renault does not forget the most dedicated fans who got up to follow this session.

We’ve shared a few of our new GIFs so far today, and we can’t wait to show you more! What do you reckon so far?

(Also, good morning Europe!) #RSspirit #RSchat pic.twitter.com/hcQ0ETV2wL

— Renault F1 Team (@RenaultF1Team) March 15, 2019

Alexander Albon, the least experienced of the rookies, continues his tough F1 learning process. After his costly crash this morning, the Thai driver is adding small mistakes during these FP2 sessions, without material consequences, which should not help his confidence.

Albon – and sometimes Alboff 😟

F1’s new drivers are still finding the limits at Albert Park 🤓#AusGP 🇦🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/ckOjWj5tBp

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2019

Still within the Red Bull house but with the official team this time, Max Verstappen takes the third time from Pierre Gasly by 42 thousandths.

In the final minutes, the yellow flag is waved in sectors 1 and 2 due to Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari facing the wrong way. The Monegasque lost grip exiting turn 4 by going over the large curb, his quick response allowing him to avoid contact with the inside barrier.

Another concern at the end of the session for our French-speaking drivers, Pierre Gasly complains about a loss of power in his Honda-powered Red Bull. Could it be the first engine issue of the season?

The final ranking at the end of the session:

FP2 – final classification 🧮

The top 3⃣ drivers all did 3⃣3⃣ laps 🧐#AusGP 🇦🇺 #F1 pic.twitter.com/AgGqfdPrVQ

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2019