Formula 1 returns to the track in Australia for the first time with a "normal" weekend in 2024, from Friday to Sunday, after the two races held on Saturday in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. As usual, free practice 2 is crucial for the progress of the weekend, between race pace tests and flying laps.
After a first session characterized by the first place of Norris and the great accident di Albon (which forced him to miss FP2 due to damage to his Williams), Leclerc closes in command land free practice 2 ahead of Verstappen e Sainz. So let's analyze the situation of the main teams.
Free practice 2 Australia, the focus on Red Bull and Ferrari
After second place in FP1, Verstappen it was repeated in FP2. The Dutchman made a program of his own in this session: he was delayed getting onto the track due to an excursion that damaged the surface in FP1, he did 15 minutes on the medium tire before changing to the red tire and tested the race pace for just 5 minutes. His run with the mediums wasn't perfect: a lot of traffic and some blockages. With the softs, however, he quickly rose to second position, sandwiched between the Ferraris.
As for race pace, Perez it seems like a lot back compared not only to Ferrari, but also to McLaren and Aston Martin. Verstappen he is definitely better off than his teammate even on the long run (done with used mediums), but It doesn't seem that dominant like last weekends. Much nervousness for him it is a setup that did not satisfy him.
Happy Friday to Ferrari, with positive sensations from both drivers. Leclerc he ended the session in command, almost 4 tenths ahead of Verstappen, who among other things set the time on the more rubberized track. Sainz, back on track after the operation two weeks ago, has already placed himself in third position. According to what we have seen so far, the Cavallino seems to be able to compete with Red Bull this weekend. The definitive answer, however, will only be obtained in qualifying and in the race.
Aston Martin, positive sensations. Late night for Mercedes?
Excellent day too Alonso e Stroll. The Canadian pilot, yes in shape in FP1 with a seventh place, he preceded his teammate Alonso with a P4 in FP2. Also on the race pace, Alonso (with medium) and Stroll (with soft) produced laps competitive. Could they be the surprise of the weekend? Only time will tell, but they should have shot with a load of inferior petrol to the others.
It's no surprise, however débacle of Mercedes. Sixth place for Russell, while Hamilton it just closed eighteenth. If we want to find a positive note, however, the Russell's race pace (with used medium tyres) was quite a bit positive. Mercedes seems to continue, already 3 races into the season, to look for the key to the problem without finding it. The Anglo-German team has made many changes in structure and is returned to the version of the surface used in pre-season tests.
Free practice 2 Australia, McLaren third force
Positive day for McLaren, who wants to maintain third place in the constructors and play the role of third force also in Australia. The Woking team it seems more competitive than Jeddah and, with Mercedes in difficulty, it could achieve its goal with ease. Piastri and Norris appeared comfortable in the race pace, while they struggled slightly more in the qualifying simulation (seventh and ninth)
Having said that, we just have to wait for free practice 3 (tomorrow at 2am) and qualifying (at 30am) to get a clearer answer. Right away, the complete top 10: Leclerc, Verstappen, Sainz, Stroll, Alonso, Russell, Piastri, Perez, Norris, Tsunoda.
