Australia FP2 Results:

[Panther_99FS]

1
44
Lewis Hamilton
MERCEDES
1:22.600

33


2
77
Valtteri Bottas
MERCEDES
1:22.648
+0.048s
33


3
33
Max Verstappen
RED BULL RACING HONDA
1:23.400
+0.800s
33


4
10
Pierre Gasly
RED BULL RACING HONDA
1:23.442
+0.842s
31


5
5
Sebastian Vettel
FERRARI
1:23.473
+0.873s
35


6
7
Kimi Räikkönen
ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI
1:23.572
+0.972s
40


7
27
Nico Hulkenberg
RENAULT
1:23.574
+0.974s
37


8
3
Daniel Ricciardo
RENAULT
1:23.644
+1.044s
31


9
16
Charles Leclerc
FERRARI
1:23.754
+1.154s
35


10
8
Romain Grosjean
HAAS FERRARI
1:23.814
+1.214s
37


11
26
Daniil Kvyat
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO HONDA
1:23.933
+1.333s
36


12
20
Kevin Magnussen
HAAS FERRARI
1:23.988
+1.388s
27


13
18
Lance Stroll
RACING POINT BWT MERCEDES
1:24.011
+1.411s
38


14
55
Carlos Sainz
MCLAREN RENAULT
1:24.133
+1.533s
26


15
99
Antonio Giovinazzi
ALFA ROMEO RACING FERRARI
1:24.293
+1.693s
37


16
11
Sergio Perez
RACING POINT BWT MERCEDES
1:24.401
+1.801s
34


17
23
Alexander Albon
SCUDERIA TORO ROSSO HONDA
1:24.675
+2.075s
40


18
4
Lando Norris
MCLAREN RENAULT
1:24.733
+2.133s
26


George Russell. Williams
Robert Kubica Williams

[wombat666]

We're heading off to Albert Park courtesy of a Shannons 'Invitation' just for the Saturday, it gives Madame an excuse (not that she ever needs one!) to 'Frock Up' and I'll take the Silver 934 up as I have a prospective buyer 'interested'.
Caught a smattering of the TV coverage and the usual suspects are doing their usual thing.
Gasly looked good until he broke the car, Leclerc was quite fast but seems to be taking it carefully, Albon broke his STR, while Kvyat made a decent return. Both Renaults showed decent pace but I'm thinking they were looking at race pace.
Williams are looking to be really bad, IMHO they will be lucky to survive the season!
And the we have Kimi Räikkönen, looking cool and calm and running in the top six!
Saturday will be just a 'Social' day for us, as I really care not for Race Day, as the forecast for surf is looking promising on Sunday.
Expect the 'Mercedes' duo to whitewash the race, the cars are quick and both look smooth.
:encouragement:

[wombat666]

Not going to post a spoiler but I'll just say it was a VERY interesting season opener.
I might just end up watching a few more rounds in the hope the trend continues.
:encouragement:

[Panther_99FS]

Definitely interesting - they say the P2 individual lost part of his floorboard.....P3 drove a great race!

[huub vink]

It was an interesting race..... But are we any wiser?

Mercedes is still very dominant. The Red Bull/Honda could overtake the Ferrari on top speed (although including DRS). It looked like Lecrerq was faster than Vettel but not allowed to overtake him.
And the first engine to blow up this year was a Renault again (not a lucky weekend for Sainz as well.....).
In Albert park it was still very difficult to overtake, despite the changes on the car.............

Cheers,
Huub

[Ferry_vO]

Good to finally see the real Bottas! Hopefully he can finally challenge Lewis for the title this year!

Honda looks strong, great to see their first podium in the hybrid era. Marko was quoted that the engine was now better than the chassis, so hopefully there's more to come. Strong race from Max, not a good start for Gasly, although his team was to blame for his poor qualifying.

Ferrari not so good despite a strong winter, Leclerc somewhat disappointing and Vettel not showing great pace either.

Renault poor despite having their 'best winter so far'.

Haas did at least 50% better in the pit stops compared to last year…

Williams...…. They should really become a Mercedes B-team like Haas.. And kubica.. Outpaced by his rookie team mate all weekend and too many mistakes!

McLaren looked like they've made a step up, good performance in qualifying from Norris especially.

[Panther_99FS]

. It looked like Lecrerq was faster than Vettel but not allowed to overtake him.

Cheers,
Huub

Yup!!!!!!!