07:47
Mercedes under pressure
After years of dominating the new era of Formula 1, Mercedes finds itself in an unfamiliar role. The team is currently far behind Ferrari and Red Bull. Hamilton was only tenth in Saudi Arabia and has so far been struggling with the still stubborn Mercedes. In Australia, too, there seems to be no sign of a trend reversal. In the 3rd practice session, both drivers were clearly struggling with the handling of the Mercedes and only Hamilton made it into the top ten in eighth place.
07:40
Best time for Norris in the 3rd practice session
Ferrari and Red Bull started the weekend as clear favorites and should be the teams battling for pole in qualifying. Lando Norris was able to surprise in the 3rd training session. The McLaren driver secured the best time in one of two red phases and 3rd practice session, which was riddled with many mistakes. Charles Leclerc and Sergio Pérez followed in second and third, ahead of Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Daniel Ricciardo in the second McLaren. Max Verstappen should be dissatisfied. The world champion struggled with balance and couldn’t improve on the soft. The result was seventh place with the medium.
07:35
Difficult comeback for Vettel
While the other drivers have already completed two race weekends this season, Australia will be the start of 2022 for Sebastian Vettel. A corona infection ensured that the first two races of the new season took place without the four-time world champion. So far, the return hasn’t gone according to plan. On Friday, Vettel missed the entire 2nd practice session after a defect, in the 3rd practice session the German then threw the car into the wall, lost important driving time again and now has to hope that the car can be repaired in the qualifying session.
07:30
Return to Melbourne
For the first time since 2019, the formula is back in Melbourne this year. After the long-standing opening race had to be paused for a long time due to the corona pandemic and the strict requirements of the Australian government, the drivers are now back Down Under. A lot has happened on the course during the break. The 5.275-kilometre circuit now has more full-throttle sections and wider corners, which should make overtaking easier.
Warm welcome!
After a three-year break, Formula 1 is back in Australia this year. Who will start from pole in the comeback race will be decided from 8:00 a.m.