Best time for Fernando Alonso in a second test session with rain. These conditions are not expected to be repeated… but the Aston Martin is doing well here too.
Fernando Alonso has been the fastest driver in Free Practice 2 of the 2023 F1 Australian GP, a session that has been marked by rain… although, before it arrived, the drivers were able to do a few laps on dry asphalt and medium tires. Carlos Sainz, who was also the leader in the initial moments, finished fifth.
Although no rain is expected for the rest of the weekend in Australia, the second test session was held on wet asphalt and this forced the drivers to fit intermediate tires after fifteen minutes. By then, Fernando Alonso was the one who was in the lead with a time of 1: 18.887, which he kept until the end of the session.
The Asturian surpassed Charles Leclerc by four tenths and Max Verstappen by six, who had commanded during the first training sessions. After George Russell, who was fourth, Carlos Sainz finished in fifth place.
The man from Madrid was the leader in the first moments of Free Practice 2: unlike Saudi Arabia, here Ferrari is not hiding in training and it can already be seen that they are prepared to face Aston Martin.
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After Carlos, Esteban Ocon stopped the timer, less than a second behind, while Sergio Pérez, Lando Norris, Nico Hülkenberg and Pierre Gasly completed the ‘top 10’. Logan Sargeant did not participate in this session, after his electrical problem at the end of the first training sessions.
Due to the rainy conditions, Free Practice 2 has not been particularly representative, but that does not mean that, once again, Alonso has been able to confirm the good pace of his Aston Martin on a new unknown circuit and very different from the previous ones.
The preparation of the classification, yes, will be more difficult, since the teams will arrive on Saturday afternoon with little data, since after all Free Practice 3 is held several hours before the qualy, with different conditions.
That adds uncertainty, especially in tight races like this, with Aston Martin, Ferrari and Mercedes close together… just behind Red Bull.
Results Free Practice 2 Australian GP 2023
| Position | Pilot | Equipment | time/difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:18.887 |
| 2nd | charles leclerc | Ferrari | +0.445 |
| 3rd | max verstappen | Red Bull | +0.615 |
| 4th | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.785 |
| 5th | Carlos Sainz | Carlos Sainz | +0.808 |
| 6th | Esteban Ocon | Alpine | +0.838 |
| 7th | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | +1,196 |
| 8th | Lando Norris | McLaren | +1,289 |
| 9th | Nico Hulkenberg | Haas | +1,307 |
| 10th | Pierre Gasley | Alpine | +1,319 |
| 11th | Yuki Tsunoda | Alpha Tauri | +1,333 |
| 12th | Valtteri Bottas | alfa romeo | +1,425 |
| 13th | lewis hamilton | Mercedes | +1,436 |
| 14th | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +1,493 |
| 15th | guanyu zhou | alfa romeo | +1,583 |
| 16th | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | +1,692 |
| 17th | nyck devries | Alpha Tauri | +1,713 |
| 18th | alexander albon | williams | +2,295 |
| 19th | Kevin Magnussen | Haas | +2..379 |
| 20º | logan sergeant | williams | – |
The Formula 1 cars will return to the track for Free Practice 3 of the Australian GP, which will start at 03:30 on Saturday. Classification will start at 7:00 a.m.
