Australia EL1: Mercedes already ahead

The 2015 season kicked off in Melbourne, Australia, and the Mercedes W06 Hybrid Nico Rosberg, best time in 1’29”557, and Lewis Hamilton, second at 29 thousandths, did not wait to move to the forefront. The two Silver Arrows relegate the best of the others, Valtteri Bottas and Williams more than a full second.

The Toro Rosso of the young guard Carlos Sainz, 4nd at 1″4 and Max Verstappen, 6th, have also been highlighted on the Albert Park route. The four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel slots into 5th position behind the wheel of the first Ferrari. Felipe Massa (Williams) ranks 7th ahead of Kimi Räikkönen (Ferrari), Pastor Maldonado (Lotus) and the Red Bull RB11 Daniel Ricciardo who completes the top 10 just ahead of his teammate Daniil Kvyat.

The Force Indias of Pérez and Hulkenberg, McLaren of Button and Magnussen, who ended their session prematurely following the discovery of a problem with an element of the Honda Power Unit, and the Lotus of Romain Grosjean, victim of a technical problem on his E23 Hybrid, bring up the rear.

None Sauber, following the affair between Giedo van der Garde and the Swiss team, neither the Manor Marussia of Stevens and Merhi did not take to the track, the team still working to resolve certain problems.

The second practice session will be followed live on our website from 6:30 a.m.