McLaren emerged as the dominant constructor on day one in Melbourne as the Formula 1 season kicks off with its opening round. Early estimates put the McLarens at the front based on qualifying simulations. Ferrari is currently showing second fastest average laps while Mercedes and Red Bull are in a closer battle for third. Granted these simulations are based on the teams running simulation programs in practice and don’t represent actual race data but its clear McLaren are the leaders. In addition to the early estimates by F1.com McLaren also led the field in the sped trap suggesting they have the best straight line speed in addition to overall pace.
“A decent first day back in the car,” said Lando Norris. “Good feelings, all in all. We’re struggling a lot with the balance, so we need to make a few changes to get it into a better place, but a good start to the weekend for us as a team. A good baseline, but a lot to improve on.”
Oscar Piastri also commented on the day, “It was a productive first day back for us, and it was pretty encouraging. We’ve still got some things to work on, but the pace was there. We’ve tried a few different things and gathered some good information, the car feels different to last year but that’s pretty normal. I am excited to see what we can do tomorrow – it’s been a pretty positive first day.”
Data Provided by F1.com
Data Provided by F1.comWIlliams Surprises With Early Pace
Despite striggles to return to its former glory in Formula 1. WIlliam’s Racing has shown some signs of promise thus far this year. With a new driver line up Williams is determined to get Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz moving on the quest to obtain points this weekend.
FP2 Results
Driver | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
---|
1 | 16 | Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:16.439 | | 32 |
2 | 81 | Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:16.563 | +0.124s | 30 |
3 | 4 | Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:16.580 | +0.141s | 30 |
4 | 22 | Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:16.784 | +0.345s | 29 |
5 | 44 | Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:16.859 | +0.420s | 31 |
6 | 6 | Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:17.019 | +0.580s | 30 |
7 | 1 | Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:17.063 | +0.624s | 22 |
8 | 27 | Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:17.161 | +0.722s | 24 |
9 | 18 | Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:17.279 | +0.840s | 28 |
10 | 63 | Russell | Mercedes | 1:17.282 | +0.843s | 30 |
11 | 55 | Sainz | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.302 | +0.863s | 30 |
12 | 23 | Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.302 | +0.863s | 28 |
13 | 14 | Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:17.330 | +0.891s | 27 |
14 | 7 | Doohan | Alpine Renault | 1:17.394 | +0.955s | 30 |
15 | 10 | Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:17.493 | +1.054s | 30 |
16 | 12 | Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:17.634 | +1.195s | 31 |
17 | 30 | Lawson | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:17.640 | +1.201s | 30 |
18 | 5 | Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:17.847 | +1.408s | 29 |
19 | 31 | Ocon | Haas Ferrari | 1:18.034 | +1.595s | 31 |
*Oliver Bearman did not set a lap time due to his crash in FP1FP1 Results
Pos | No | Driver | Car | Time | Gap | Laps |
---|
1 | 4 | Norris | McLaren Mercedes | 1:17.252 | | 21 |
2 | 55 | Sainz | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.401 | +0.149s | 25 |
3 | 16 | Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:17.461 | +0.209s | 21 |
4 | 81 | Piastri | McLaren Mercedes | 1:17.670 | +0.418s | 20 |
5 | 1 | Verstappen | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:17.696 | +0.444s | 21 |
6 | 23 | Albon | Williams Mercedes | 1:17.713 | +0.461s | 18 |
7 | 63 | Russell | Mercedes | 1:17.716 | +0.464s | 26 |
8 | 14 | Alonso | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:17.736 | +0.484s | 23 |
9 | 6 | Hadjar | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:17.847 | +0.595s | 25 |
10 | 18 | Stroll | Aston Martin Aramco Mercedes | 1:18.057 | +0.805s | 20 |
11 | 22 | Tsunoda | Racing Bulls Honda RBPT | 1:18.061 | +0.809s | 23 |
12 | 44 | Hamilton | Ferrari | 1:18.071 | +0.819s | 20 |
13 | 7 | Doohan | Alpine Renault | 1:18.232 | +0.980s | 20 |
14 | 12 | Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:18.390 | +1.138s | 25 |
15 | 5 | Bortoleto | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:18.438 | +1.186s | 22 |
16 | 30 | Lawson | Red Bull Racing Honda RBPT | 1:18.455 | +1.203s | 22 |
17 | 10 | Gasly | Alpine Renault | 1:18.505 | +1.253s | 23 |
18 | 27 | Hulkenberg | Kick Sauber Ferrari | 1:18.586 | +1.334s | 18 |
19 | 31 | Ocon | Haas Ferrari | 1:19.139 | +1.887s | 16 |
20 | 87 | Bearman | Haas Ferrari | 1:19.312 | +2.060s | 12 |