EL1: Hamilton in the lead in the rain

Lewis Hamilton set the best time in the first practice session of the Australian GP disrupted by showers.

Published on 18/03/2016 à 06:34

⁰ View comments)

Despite the Albert Park track remaining wet for a good part of the session, Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) set the best time in the first free practice of the 2016 season at the Australian Grand Prix.

With a time of 1'29"725, the three-time world champion was more than four tenths ahead of his closest pursuer, Daniil Kvyat (Red Bull), while the second RB12 of Daniel Ricciardo completes the top three by more than a second despite a session cut short by going off the track into the gravel trap while riding on slicks.

Nico Hulkenberg (Force India) ranked fourth ahead Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) and Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) who finished more than two seconds behind his teammate. German precedes McLaren de Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button who was the most diligent with only 16 laps completed. Sergio Pérez (Force India) and Kevin Magnussen (Renault) complete the top ten.

Haas F1 Team remained behind as Esteban Gutiérrez finished in 18th place, two places ahead of his teammate Romain Grosjean who encountered a hydraulic pressure problem. Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) and Carlos Sainz Jr (Toro Rosso) did not set a time, the Spaniard having encountered a slight mechanical problem on his STR11.

1 Australian Grand Prix Free Practice 2016 Results

1. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 1’29”725 (14 laps)

2. Daniil Kvvyat (Red Bull) + 0 »421 (14)

3. Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) + 1 »150 (13)

4. Nico Hülkenberg (Force India) + 1”600 (8)

5. Max Verstappen (Toro Rosso) +1 »995 (14)

6. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) + 2 »089 (11)

7. Fernando Alonso (McLaren) + 3 »335 (11)

8. Jenson Button (McLaren) + 3 »404 (16)

9. Sergio Pérez (Force India) + 3 »645 (6)

10. Kevin Magnussen (Renault) + 4 »335 (13)

11. Valtteri Bottas (Williams) + 4 »825 (6)