Fernando Alonso was quickest in a rain-interrupted second practice session in Melbourne ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The Aston Martin driver set the fastest time early in the session before rain began to fall around the 15 minute mark, which put a stop to any further improvements on the timing screen. Alonso’s 1’18.887 put him almost half a second quicker than Leclerc’s Ferrari. With clouds drifting over Albert Park threatening rain before the session began, the temperature had dropped significantly compared to the opening hour of practice as the second hour of running got underway. With a 40% risk of rain expected, there was a rush of cars onto the circuit as the green light appeared at the end of the pit lane, drivers dicing for track position over the first two sectors of the lap to secure a clear track to start their runs. Carlos Sainz Jnr won the race to start the first flying lap and he duly set the … [Read more...] about Alonso leads Leclerc as rain interrupts second practice · RaceFans
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What we learned from Friday practice at F1’s 2023 Australian GP
Listen to this article Mixed Melbourne weather and Formula 1 data systems trouble resulted in frustratingly truncated first practice running for the 2023 Australian Grand Prix, where Red Bull led the way but faced rare issues. Max Verstappen topped the times in the only fully-dry session on Friday at Albert Park in FP1, but had off-track moments and a dramatic spin late that session, while team-mate Sergio Perez also had struggled to keep his RB19 on the road. Rain massively reducing running in FP2 meant the teams missed the usual long-run data-gathering that can help influence race predictions, but nevertheless there was plenty seen and unseen at Albert Park that could still impact the rest of the event. Here's everything we learned on Friday at the 2023 Australian Grand Prix. The story of the day In FP1, the pack had to contend with two invisible factors that set the story of that session. The first was a strong wind blowing across the cars as they turned in for … [Read more...] about What we learned from Friday practice at F1’s 2023 Australian GP
F1 Australian GP: Alonso tops rain-hit second practice from Leclerc
Listen to this article Verstappen led the pack out of the pits at the start of FP2, but it was Carlos Sainz that set the first time to set the first place benchmark, the Spaniard putting in a 1m20.378s on the medium tyres to establish the first-place benchmark. A few minutes later, Verstappen beat this with a 1m19.759s while also running the mediums, before Sainz shot back ahead with his second lap to complete a 1m19.695s. But this only stood as the best time for a few moments as Alonso's first flier on the mediums resulted in a 1m18.887s for the Spaniard, which then stood as the leading lap for nearly all the session. This was because shortly before the first quarter of the one-hour session had been completed, rain began to hit Albert Park – most noticeably at the first corners where Verstappen had an early off catching snap oversteer running the rapid right and immediately following Turn 2 left. Just before conditions really worsened, Leclerc slotted into second … [Read more...] about F1 Australian GP: Alonso tops rain-hit second practice from Leclerc
F1 Australian GP: Verstappen fastest from Alonso in FP3
Listen to this article After Friday's rain-affected FP2, Saturday's final practice session predominantly took place on a dry Albert Park circuit despite the threatening Melbourne clouds, although a morning drizzle had further washed away the rubber that had been built up over the weekend. Due to the Friday disruptions most teams wasted little time taking to the track to get both their high fuel and qualifying runs in. World champion Verstappen opened his account with a 1m19.664s on medium tyres and after briefly being deposed by Ferrari man Carlos Sainz's soft-tyre effort the Dutchman reclaimed his early P1 with a 1m18.741s. Verstappen's time, the only medium lap from the frontrunners, was soon bested by the other Ferrari of Charles Leclerc . The Monegasque went top with a 1m18.731s on softs, which he then filed down to a 1m.18.691s. The second Red Bull of Sergio Perez remained in the garage for the opening stages as the Mexican's mechanics worked on the rear of … [Read more...] about F1 Australian GP: Verstappen fastest from Alonso in FP3
Australian GP should be “open-minded” about switching to F1 night race
Listen to this article The question of a potential night race around the Albert Park circuit was posed to Westacott during an appearance in the Sky Sports commentary booth during second free practice on Friday. While not championing the idea, Westacott urged the AGPC to keep an open mind when it comes to innovation for the event. The key, according to Westacott, is the long-term deal in place between the Victorian government and Formula 1 that now runs until 2037. That deal was done in two steps, with an initial deal until 2035 announced in June , followed by a two-year extension in December. Westacott's comments come as he embarks on his final Australian GP in the top job before he steps down from the role in June. "[For] the [Australian Grand Prix] Corporation, the preference is in the [race happening in] sunshine," said Westacott of the potential for a night race. "But what I would also say is, as you evolve the one thing that Victoria does well is … [Read more...] about Australian GP should be “open-minded” about switching to F1 night race