Ferrari look strong as Lelcerc rules FP2

Charles Leclerc proved himself a true contender for pole position after a solid FP2 effort in Albert Park, ending the hour of practice almost four-tenths ahead of a disrupted Max Verstappen.

With FP2 being the most representative practice session of the weekend, the drivers made every last second count as they raced out of the pitlane.

Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez well and truly found themselves racing one another, fighting for track position on the opening out-lap. 

Perez won the fight, setting the first timed lap of the session being a 1:20.343s.

Meanwhile, his Red Bull teammate remained in the garage, with his suspicions of floor damage confirmed following an unhappy moment at Turn 10.

His RB20 remained in the garage for the opening stint of the session.

Alex Albon’s car also remained in his Williams garage, not taking to the track after a very heavy shunt in the midday session.

The team have confirmed that they do not have a spare chassis in Australia, making for a very tense reconstruction for the Williams crew.

Back on track, it was Fernando Alonso who then led the way, temporarily demoted by Oscar Piastri, before reinstating his place at the top.

Daniel Ricciardo crossed the line next, setting a purple Sector 1 before storming into P4.

His RB teammate joined him at the head of the field, surpassing the Australian by 25 milliseconds. 

Daniel Ricciardo during FP2 at the Australian GP. Image: Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images.

Perez soon found himself back at the top of the order with a time of 1:18.695s before Charles Leclerc when over 4 tenths quicker.

Running as the sole Williams on track, Logan Sargeant had a messy moment as he dipped a wheel into the gravel at Turn 11. 

The American was sent spinning, avoiding contact with barriers and cars around him.

Both Ferrari drivers continued to find their groove, with Leclerc and Sainz occupying two of the top three times. 

Leclerc had the fastest time of all, sitting with a 1:17.936s.

It was a far from ideal exit out of Turn 5 for Pierre Gasly, with the Alpine driver mounting the kerb very aggressively.

Aston Martin were the first to make the switch to the soft compound tyre, sending their veteran out on the C5.

After setting a purple Sector 1, Alonso added speed through Turn 7 after almost recreating Albon’s earlier moment.

The Spaniard crossed the line with the second fastest time, almost two-tenths slower than the #16.

On his second attempt, however, Alonso managed to go one better, demoting the medium-running Ferrari.

Perez soon followed suit, donning the red-marked tyre as he settled into P4.

It wouldn’t be an F1 session without traffic complaints, and the first to do so was George Russell.

Russell wasn’t too impressed with a slow-moving Sainz who supposedly interfered with the Mercedes driver’s run into Turn 9.

Replays did, however, show Sainz looking into his mirrors as the #63 approached. 

Lance Stroll set the new fastest time of 1:17.822s on a brilliant lap.

His fortune ran on the following lap, however, when he overshot the penultimate corner, cutting grass.

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, during FP2 at the Australian GP. Image: Mark Horsburgh / LAT Images.

George Russell also took a trip across the grass, steaming straight ahead through Turns 1 and 2.

Leclerc continued to improve, reclaiming the top spot just beyond the halfway point of the session.

His teammate finally made the switch the the C5 tyre, however, falling significantly flat to his teammate as he crossed the line over four-tenths slower, eventually sitting equal with Verstappen.

With 15 minutes remaining, Ricciardo set off on another flying lap, however, having made the switch back to the medium compound.

He set a time of 1:24.412s, while his teammate followed suit, going seven-tenths slower. 

With 10 minutes remaining, the rest of the field also made the switch to the yellow-mark tyre.

Piastri’s time on the C4 was a 1:23.837s, unsurprisingly faster than his compatriot.

A snap of oversteer caught Leclerc out, seeing him taking a bumpy ride across the gravel and grass at Turn 1.

Before this, however, Leclerc had set a 1:22.8s lap, making Hamilton question his own machinery.

The seven-time world champion fed back to his team that something was wrong with his W15 as his times failed to match his rivals, seeing Hamilton ending the session in the pits.

Lewis Hamilton riding the kerbs during FP2 at the Australian GP. Image: Sam Bagnall / LAT Images.

In the closing moments, Sainz was given a taste of his own traffic medicine, having to cut the corner at Turn 10 to avoid the slower car ahead. 

Verstappen also encountered traffic, coming across a slow-moving Aston Martin at Turn 11. 

With the drivers running the medium compound, the order remained relatively unchanged by the time the chequered flag had been waved. 

At the top of the timing sheets was Charles Leclerc, with the Ferrari driver looking like a real chance at pole tomorrow with his time of 1:17.277s.

Max Verstappen put a bit of distance between himself and Carlos Sainz, taking the second-fastest time overall, with Sainz settling for third. 

The 20 drivers have only one more hour of practice before Qualifying, leaving Saturday’s midday run very critical for those who missed out today.

FP3 will kickstart at 12:30 PM tomorrow, followed by Qualifying at 4:00 PM.

Free Practice 2 results:

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