Overnight from Melbourne
practice 1
1) Nico Rosberg, Mercedes 1:29.557
2) Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:29.586
3) Valtteri Bottas, Williams, 1:30.748
4) Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso, 1:31.014
5) Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1:31.029
6) Max Verstappen, Toro Rosso 1:31.067
7) Felipe Massa, Williams, 1:31.188
8 Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:31.310
9) Pastor Maldonado, Lotus 1:31.451
10) Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull, 1:31.570
11) Daniil Kvyat, Red Bull, 1:32.073
12) Sergio Perez, Force India, 1:32.247
13) Nico Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:32.261
14) Jenson Button, McLaren, 1:34.542
15) Kevin Magnussen, McLaren, 1:34.785
16) Romain Grosjean, Lotus, 2:17.782
17) Marcus Ericsson, Sauber, No time
18) Felipe Nasr, Sauber, No time
19) Will Stevens, Manor, No time
20) Roberto Merhi, Manor, No time
practice 2
Practice Two timesheet: 1) Rosberg, Mercedes, 1:27.697; 2) Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:27.797; 3) Vettel, Ferrari, 1:28.412; 4) Raikkonen, Ferrari, 1:28.842; 5) Bottas, Williams, 1:29.265; 6) Kvyat, Red Bull, 1:30.016; 7) Sainz, Toro Rosso, 1:30.071; 8 Maldonado, Lotus, 1:30.104; 9) Grosjean, Lotus, 1:30.205; 10) Hulkenberg, Force India, 1:30.473; 11) Nasr, Sauber, 1:30.755; 12) Perez, Force India, 1:30.980; 13) Button, McLaren, 1:31.387; 14) Verstappen, Toro Rosso, 1:31.395; 15) Ericsson, Sauber, 1:32.303; 16) Magnussen, McLaren, 1:33.289.
Ricciardo, Massa, Stevens and Merhi did not set a time
cliffs
Mercedes up to a second clear of the field
Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull best of the rest
Ferrari's long-run pace looked very solid, although their position ahead of Williams may be fuel-dependent.
Huge problems at Mclaren, 5 seconds off the pace
qualifying overnight tonight
Hamilton is 11/10 in one spot only for the race and Rosberg has been backed in
mechanical problems aside, its a two horse race
http://www.oddschecker.com/motorsport/formula-one/australian-grand-prix/winnerwithout Mercedes, Vettel is an underdog to ottas, which piqued my attention
http://www.oddschecker.com/motorsport/formula-one/australian-grand-prix/w-o-mercedesNo Mclaren to finish is into 2.75, we are on at 3.65
http://www.oddschecker.com/motorsport/formula-one/australian-grand-prix/mclaren-total-finishersFP1 made me laugh - I suggested a bet on Bottas to top the session because Mercedes may hold back. As it goes, I was right! Both Lewis & Rosberg clearly had more time on the table .. and yet they're still a second ahead of the field! Williams and Ferrari are in for a shock come qualifying tomorrow, the gap will only grow.
McLaren have been saying that they will develop as the season progresses and could well win a race by the end of the year - that's utter rubbish. They will develop, but only slightly given the restrictions on in-season engine development. McLaren will start this season at the back and may jump one or two teams during the season. Points will be a struggle all year for them though.
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