The last free practice session that precedes qualifying in Australia ends with the best time of Max Verstappen who prints a 1:17.565 with the softs. Alonso and Ocon follow.
The teams immediately set about making up for the time lost yesterday when rain and GPS problems made it difficult to collect data in the FP1 and in FP2, especially as regards the race pace which for many represents a real unknown factor. Red Bull is the great observation of the weekend. After the victories of Verstappen and Perez in the opening races, the Austrian team cannot miss the appointment in Melbourne, a track on which victory is missing from the triumph of Sebastian Vettel in 2011.
The session was pretty linear, with a short interruption for a red flag due to a large piece of debris from theAlpha Tauri by Nyck DeVries. In the final part of the session, the rain also returned to disturb the riders. But it is certainly not the most serious problem we have encountered. So let's see what happened in these last 60 minutes of free practice in Melbourne and what scenario presents itself for qualifying and the race.
Red Bull loads
Red Bull, after yesterday's day in Australia, started with some problems for Max Verstappen, due to a more extreme configuration than his teammate, has decided to carry more load on single-seater number 1 as well, as done on Friday with Perez. Verstappen thus took to the track with a more loaded rear wing, to carry out race preparation work in the first part of the session, with the yellows. A completely opposite job to that done by the other teams, who went to a softer compound in the first half of the session.
Problems for Perez
Ma if on one side of the garage Max's work was carried out in a rather linear way, this time it is Perez who is worrying. It doesn't seem to be exactly the day for the Mexican, who took to the track shortly and late. In fact, the team used a good part of FP3 to work on the Mexican's car at the rear. Finally got on the track, after only 5 laps with the yellows the Mexican was called to the pits. Back on track again Perez encountered several problems especially in the fast lap attack, complaining over the radio. “I just don't hear the car... Can't brake in turn 1, rear very slow, then very front stalls in turn 3. Very unpredictable in the corners". Not encouraging signs, considering that we are in the last free practice session before qualifying, and that Perez's RB19 isn't exactly on the track.
As if that weren't enough, Perez will give the race direction something to do, for a suspicious episode in Pit Lane with a red light. We'll see if there are more updates on a possible punishment.
Ferrari, good Sainz but Aston flies
In this second day of free practice in Australia, Ferrari is confirmed to be in good shape. Both riders worked on the soft and yellow tyres, keeping a set of new tires for the final attack on the times, which never started, due to the arrival of the rain. Which justifies the position so backward in the standings. After a rather concrete session for Sainz, the rain risked mocking him on the return lap, resulting in an inevitable gravel excursion. “I saved her“, he says commenting on the incident.
Also on this second day, Alonso's Aston Martin appeared to be the most solid in terms of race pace. Fernando dreams of victory number 33. The confrontation with Verstappen sees him behind at the end of the session by just 0.162 tenths. Also worth mentioning in this session is Alpine's leap, with both drivers in the top 5. While at the bottom, bringing up the rear we find McLaren continuing its misfortune. Norris had to stop early with a clutch problem. The Englishman was only able to run for 12 laps.
Here are all the times from the last free practice session waiting for the qualifying in Australia starting at 7am!
