Reigning world champion Lewis Hamilton set the fastest time in opening practice for the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
A late run on the slick tyres allowed the three-time world champion to top opening practice in Melbourne. The Briton ended the session four-tenths clear of Red Bull’s Daniil Kyvat who was second fastest.
The first practice session of 2016 was disrupted by intermittent showers meaning drivers were not able to complete a significant amount of mileage on the dry tyres.
The majority of the field completed their initial installation laps on the intermediate tyres as they tip-toed around the slippy circuit.
Hamilton and Kvyat made the best of the limited dry running – ending the session in the top two spots.
Daniel Ricciardo was third fastest in the RB12 but beached his car in the gravel with less than a minute remaining on the clock.
Toro Rosso’s Max Verstappen ended the day fifth fastest. The Dutchman spun on the exit of turn six but managed to keep it out of the barriers. Verstappen completed the most laps of any driver, 14 in total.
Two seconds off his teammate was Nico Rosberg in sixth. Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Sergio Perez and Kevin Magnussen rounded out the top ten.
Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz were the only two drivers who failed to set a time.
