Charles Leclerc put Ferrari at the top of the times at the end of the first day of running for the Australian Grand Prix.
Leclerc had been quickest early in the session, but improved with just over 20 minutes remaining in the session to a 1’17.277 to go just under four tenths faster than Max Verstappen
Carlos Sainz Jnr was third for Ferrari ahead of the two Aston Martins of Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. George Russell was sixth for Mercedes, but team mate Lewis Hamilton was second-slowest of the drivers who set times, down in 18th.
The low-grip street circuit continued to prove tricky for many with several drivers again running off track, including Leclerc who ran onto the grass at turn one. Yuki Tsunoda reported damage on his floor after running wide, while Lewis Hamilton spent a small amount of time in the garage undergoing repairs to the cake tin on his front-right.
After Alexander Albon crashed in the opening session, his Williams was too damaged to participate in the second hour of running. His team mate Logan Sargeant gave his team a brief scare by skidding off at turn 12 and onto the gravel. Thankfully he managed to recover to the pits without much delay to his programme.
Fernando Alonso suffered a heart-stopping moment at turn six, the same corner that Albon crashed, but successfully kept his car out of the barriers. His team mate Lance Stroll ran slightly wide at the penultimate corner at turn 13 on a push lap, almost collecting a small bird on the grass. Later on in the session, Stroll had a second off at the same corner.
George Russell accused Sainz of driving “dangerously” slow along the long back straight approaching turn ten when he passed the Ferrari on a push lap. However, the incident was not deemed worthy of noting by race control. Stroll provoked complaints from Verstappen, Sainz and Leclerc in quick succession as the Aston Martin driver appeared to get in the way of all three during the long runs.
All drivers completed at least 20 laps through the session, save for Albon who did not participate. Sergio Perez and Pierre Gasly completed the most laps, with 33 each.
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2024 Australian Grand Prix second practice result
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2024 Australian Grand Prix
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