F1 | Australian GP | Leclerc sets the best time in FP2, Verstappen and Sainz behind him
Ferrari confirms the red dominance at Albert Park, this time with Leclerc in front of everyone. Verstappen closes in second position, 3rd Sainz.
The weekend in Melbourne, Australia officially started on a mild afternoon, at 1PM (local time), with Ferrari finishing the session in front of everyone. Sainz finished first, ahead of his teammate and the Red Bulls of Perez and Verstappen, while the Mercedes ended the session in seventh and twelfth position - respectively with Hamilton and Russell.
The second free practice session started at 4PM (local time) and confirmed this morning result, with Ferrari ahead of everyone, with Leclerc this time.
Sebastian Vettel did not take part in the session, due to an engine problem remedied this morning, which the mechanics worked on throughout the whole FP2.
We're green for FP2! 🟢
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022
Let's get the second practice session under way 💪#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/NPmovuzvmL
FP2 Report
The second free practice session at the Albert Park circuit started with immediately eight cars on track. The first time lap of FP2 was set by Daniel Ricciardo, who finished the lap in 1: 21.793s.
Five minutes from the start, both Ferraris hit the track with medium tyres and Leclerc immediately took the lead, lapping in 1:20.523s.
50 minutes to go and Valtteri Bottas set a very good lap time in 1:20.432s, taking the lead with a fastest first sector.
Carlos Sainz was the first to set a time under the 1:20s, finishing his lap in 1:19.979s. Both Red Bulls didn’t manage to set impressive lap times, remaining behind in 7th and 12th position. Verstappen reported, in a team radio, his difficulties to manage the car in high-speed corners in the rotation phase. Perez also referred to this during FP1.
Leclerc went out with soft tyres and set the best lap time in 1:19.771s., soon replaced by Sainz in 1:19.568s – even if he was hindered by Tsunoda. Norris was, at that point, third, behind the Spaniard by 0.532s.
Great lap by Fernando Alonso, who took the lead, even if for just a few moments, by setting the best middle sector time of the grid.
25 minutes to go and Leclerc set the best lap time so far in 1:18.978. Verstappen was hindered by some traffic and put his Red Bull in third position, behind Leclerc by 0.408s. Then he managed to oust Sainz of his 2nd place.
Charles Leclerc moves into P1 🚀
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022
Team mate Carlos Sainz is right behind in P2! 👀#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/vBNbfyP7ta
Leclerc and his teammate came back track with used medium tyres to start the race pace simulation. Not a brilliand Friday for Mercedes. Russell was, at that point, 11th and Hamilton 13th.
Almost 10 minutes to go and a red flag was brought out soon after Stroll damaged his car, and some debries were on track.
🚩 RED FLAG 🚩
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022
A piece of Lance Stroll's car has fallen off, leaving debris on the track #AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/HLH00v3ybJ
After a few minutes the cars were back on track, 1:22.9 was the best time, set by Charles Leclerc, during the race pace simulation.
FP2 ended with the Monegasque ahead of everyone, followed by Verstappen and his teammate Carlos Sainz.
Charles Leclerc fastest in FP2! 👊#AusGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/db3RxThndz
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 8, 2022
