MELBOURNE FP2: ROSBERG AND MERCEDES OWN DAY ONE
article & pics Melbourne FP2: Rosberg and Mercedes own day one | GRAND PRIX 247
Nico Rosberg topped the timing screens in both FP1 and FP2, on the first day of the Formula 1 season opening Australian Grand Prix, with teammate Lewis Hamilton a tenth off the top time at the end of FP2 as reigning world champions Mercedes stamped their authority over their in Melbourne.
Behind the Silver Arrows duo a pecking order of sorts emerged, suggesting Ferrari have found handy pace with their new car, with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen ending the session third and fourth respectively. The Finn having an impressive long run during the ninety minutes session at Albert Park.
Valtteri Bottas was fifth fastest for Williams, but teammate Felipe Massa had to sit out the session as the team tended to a water leak. Problems aside it would be a safe bet to assume that the Grove outfit are on par with the Maranello folks.
Red Bull new boy Daniil Kvyat was sixth on the timing sheets in FP2, while teammate Daniel Ricciardo was stuck in the pits with technical issues.
Toro Rosso rookie Carlos Sainz had a solid first day in the big leagues, ending the final session in seventh while his teammate, youngest ever F1 driver, Max Verstappen had a problem plagued afternoon which saw him only manage six timed laps best of which was good for 15th.
Both Lotus drivers ended the session in the top ten with pastor Maldonado eighth fastest and Romain Grosjean ninth.
Neither Manor drivers emerged from their pit garage, as it is quite clear that the team is woefully behind schedule for the first race and the word is they will struggle to be ready for the next two races too.
The Sauber saga continued in the courtroom, but despite missing FP1 both Marcus Ericsson and rookie Felipe Nasr did laps in FP2, finishing 11 th and 15th respectively, while Giedo van der Garde was spotted wearing a Sauber race suit in the Swiss team’s pit garage. Watch this space….
Report in progress
Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park – Friday, Free Practice 2
P Name Team Best Time Laps
1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:27.697 29
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.797 25
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:28.412 33
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:28.842 33
5 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:29.265 32
6 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:30.016 27
7 Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso 1:30.071 41
8 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:30.104 11
9 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:30.205 37
10 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:30.473 30
11 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1:30.755 33
12 Sergio Perez Force India 1:30.980 32
13 Jenson Button McLaren 1:31.387 21
14 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:31.395 6
15 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:32.303 14
16 Kevin Magnussen McLaren 1:33.289 4
article & pics Melbourne FP2: Rosberg and Mercedes own day one | GRAND PRIX 247
Nico Rosberg topped the timing screens in both FP1 and FP2, on the first day of the Formula 1 season opening Australian Grand Prix, with teammate Lewis Hamilton a tenth off the top time at the end of FP2 as reigning world champions Mercedes stamped their authority over their in Melbourne.
Behind the Silver Arrows duo a pecking order of sorts emerged, suggesting Ferrari have found handy pace with their new car, with Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen ending the session third and fourth respectively. The Finn having an impressive long run during the ninety minutes session at Albert Park.
Valtteri Bottas was fifth fastest for Williams, but teammate Felipe Massa had to sit out the session as the team tended to a water leak. Problems aside it would be a safe bet to assume that the Grove outfit are on par with the Maranello folks.
Red Bull new boy Daniil Kvyat was sixth on the timing sheets in FP2, while teammate Daniel Ricciardo was stuck in the pits with technical issues.
Toro Rosso rookie Carlos Sainz had a solid first day in the big leagues, ending the final session in seventh while his teammate, youngest ever F1 driver, Max Verstappen had a problem plagued afternoon which saw him only manage six timed laps best of which was good for 15th.
Both Lotus drivers ended the session in the top ten with pastor Maldonado eighth fastest and Romain Grosjean ninth.
Neither Manor drivers emerged from their pit garage, as it is quite clear that the team is woefully behind schedule for the first race and the word is they will struggle to be ready for the next two races too.
The Sauber saga continued in the courtroom, but despite missing FP1 both Marcus Ericsson and rookie Felipe Nasr did laps in FP2, finishing 11 th and 15th respectively, while Giedo van der Garde was spotted wearing a Sauber race suit in the Swiss team’s pit garage. Watch this space….
Report in progress
Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park – Friday, Free Practice 2
P Name Team Best Time Laps
1 Nico Rosberg Mercedes 1:27.697 29
2 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes 1:27.797 25
3 Sebastian Vettel Ferrari 1:28.412 33
4 Kimi Raikkonen Ferrari 1:28.842 33
5 Valtteri Bottas Williams 1:29.265 32
6 Daniil Kvyat Red Bull 1:30.016 27
7 Carlos Sainz Jr Toro Rosso 1:30.071 41
8 Pastor Maldonado Lotus 1:30.104 11
9 Romain Grosjean Lotus 1:30.205 37
10 Nico Hulkenberg Force India 1:30.473 30
11 Felipe Nasr Sauber 1:30.755 33
12 Sergio Perez Force India 1:30.980 32
13 Jenson Button McLaren 1:31.387 21
14 Max Verstappen Toro Rosso 1:31.395 6
15 Marcus Ericsson Sauber 1:32.303 14
16 Kevin Magnussen McLaren 1:33.289 4