As the lights went green for final free practice at the Australian Grand Prix; the political debates of yesterday seem to have been put aside as the focus turns to what all fans are here to see – the on track action.
It was current world champion Lewis Hamilton who topped the timesheet as the chequered flag waved at the end of final practice
with just over half a second gap to new Ferrari driver Sebastian Vettel who had what seemed like another straightforward session.
Rosberg rounded out the top 3, all be it almost a second off his Mercedes teammate. Setting the early pace on the medium compound tyre; the German looked to be struggling with the rear end of the car once the soft tyres went on, with a string of untidy laps being set.
The two Williams drivers were next up, and closely matched with Bottas only beating his Brazilian teammate Massa by seven-hundredths of a second. Following them was the second Ferrari of Raikkonen who was just over a second off the pace of Hamilton. The Finn, who looked to be taking it easy during his first few laps soon got his tyres up to temperature, and was setting decent times in the improved Ferrari towards the latter part of the session.
Lotus also look to have made improvements over the winter break with Grosjean, and Maldonado 7th, and 8th respectively with a 1:29.481, and a 1:29.864; Maldonado two tenths off his French teammate.
The Toro Rosso drivers were 9th, and 11th in the standings, split only by the Sauber of Felipe Nasr. The rookies seem to have impressed in their initial outings as Formula One drivers with all three of them separated on track by less than a tenth of a second.
At the latter end of the grid it was Marcus Ericsson in the second of the two Saubers with a time of 1:30.613; only a tenth quicker than the Force India of Nico Hulkenberg. Mexican Sergio Perez was 2 tenths off his German teammate in 14th.
Home star Daniel Ricciardo had a troubled session. Not only has the Red Bull driver needed to use a second of his four engines, but half way through the session he stopped out on track only to be pushed up the pit lane by the Australian marshals. He later got back out on track to set a time of a 1:31.158.
The two McLaren’s of Magnussen, and Button followed. Finishing 16th, and 17th with another dreary session for the outfit. Which begs the question, will they line up at the back of the grid? It certainly seems that way if the Manor cars fail to get going.
Daniil Kvyat rounded off the times with a 1:32.830 after a troubled session with a systems failure early on.
Only time will tell who will best of the rest come qualifying. Things aren’t looking too promising for both McLaren, and Red Bull. Lets hope for their sake they can pull something out of the bag, and put in some decent lap times.
Image courtesy of Mercedes F1
