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<strong>FP2:</strong> Hamilton keeps Mercedes out in front

FP2: Hamilton keeps Mercedes out in front

Published on 15 Mar 2019 07:31
5
By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton has made it a clean sweep of fastest laps on Friday at Melbourne, as Mercedes stretched its legs over the rest of the field during the afternoon session.

The Briton's session-topping lap time was a 1:22.600, which was just under half a tenth ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas.

The nearest challengers to the Silver Arrows were the Red Bull's of Max Verstappen and Pierre Gasly, however the energy drink squad was eight-tenths down on Hamilton.

Sebastian Vettel was fifth, ahead of former teammate Kimi Raikkonen in the Alfa Romeo. Seventh and eight was the Renault duo of Nico Hulkenberg and Daniel Ricciardo, roughly one second behind the pace.

The second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc was ninth, while rounding out the top ten was Romain Grosjean, with the former Renault and Lotus driver getting the better of Daniil Kvyat and teammate Kevin Magnussen.

Leclerc spun his Ferrari in the final moments, losing control of the car on the exit of Turn 4 after straddling the exit kerb.

It was another lacklustre session for Williams, who once again was the slowest in the field. George Russell, the leading Williams in 19th, was 1.7 seconds behind Lando Norris, who finished one position ahead of his compatriot.

Alexander Albon suffered a spin at the penultimate corner in the closing stages of the session, but kept it out of the barriers, which he failed to do earlier this morning.

F1Grand Prix Australia - Free practice 2

Albert Park - 15 March 2019

Driver

Team

Time

Difference

#
1

Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes

1:22.600

33
2

Valtteri Bottas

Mercedes

1:22.648

+0.048

33
3

Max Verstappen

Red Bull Racing

1:23.400

+0.800

33
4

Pierre Gasly

Red Bull Racing

1:23.442

+0.842

31
5

Sebastian Vettel

Ferrari

1:23.473

+0.873

35
6

Kimi Räikkönen

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:23.572

+0.972

40
7

Nico Hülkenberg

Renault

1:23.574

+0.974

37
8

Daniel Ricciardo

Renault

1:23.644

+1.044

31
9

Charles Leclerc

Ferrari

1:23.754

+1.154

35
10

Romain Grosjean

Haas F1

1:23.814

+1.214

37
11

Daniil Kvyat

Toro Rosso

1:23.933

+1.333

36
12

Kevin Magnussen

Haas F1

1:23.988

+1.388

27
13

Lance Stroll

Racing Point

1:24.011

+1.411

38
14

Carlos Sainz jr

McLaren

1:24.133

+1.533

26
15

Antonio Giovinazzi

Alfa Romeo Racing

1:24.293

+1.693

37
16

Sergio Perez

Racing Point

1:24.401

+1.801

34
17

Alexander Albon

Toro Rosso

1:24.675

+2.075

40
18

Lando Norris

McLaren

1:24.733

+2.133

26
19

George Russell

Williams

1:26.453

+3.853

32
20

Robert Kubica

Williams

1:26.655

+4.055

33

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Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Ugh, fp or not, I do not like seeing Merc so far ahead.
- + 0
- Mar 15 2019 - 12:11
Kean

Posts: 692
Were Merc sandbagging the 2nd part of pre-season, or are Ferrari sandbagging now?.... Only practice, and it's Albert Park, so not a true representation of tracks to come, but still. Would really hate it if Merc is way out in front. Also, McLaren seem off the pace. Don't know what's more annoying; that McLaren are at the back or that Helmut seems to have been right.
- + 0
- Mar 15 2019 - 13:04
boudy

Posts: 1,168
They aren't that much in front, VER was massively impeded by GIO. Looks like the Ferrari's are still not running at full pace. At the moment I still can't work out who's where apart from Williams.

FP3 should tell us more. Can't wait for qualifying.
- + 0
- Mar 15 2019 - 18:16
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Duuuhhh - like we all didn’t really expect that from Merc. True to form from start up of the season at testing to 1st race.. We all hoped, we’re all disappointed and totally unsurprised.
- + 0
- Mar 15 2019 - 22:18
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  "Oh, Ferrari will be all over us now. We are doomed for sure, pinky finger!" Don't mock us Mercedes.
  + 0
  
  Mar 16 2019 - 05:38