Free 1: Kubica takes the lead

Robert Kubica and Renault have been patiently working on the progress of the Renault R30 for several weeks and, in Melbourne, this meticulous work seems to be paying off. From the first session of the weekend, certainly not representative of the overall performance of the single-seaters, the Pole placed himself at the top of the timesheet, with a nice margin over his rivals.

However, everything started very slowly in Melbourne where, during the first half hour of the session, almost nothing happened on the track. Only Bruno Senna (HRT) and Heikki Kovalainen (Lotus Racing) set times, before Lewis Hamilton (McLaren) does not take his turn. In 1:30:076, the Briton set the first significant time.

Hamilton then improved, in 1, before Michael Schumacher (Mercedes) does not erase this time, in 1?28??629. The German achieves this time several seconds after the red flag was waved, brandished due to an exit from the track. Kamui Kobayashi (Sauber). Schumi's time is therefore erased and Hamilton remains in control.

After a new start, the drivers are not rushing to improve. Jenson Button (McLaren) or Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) run in 1?29??, quite far from the best potential time. Nico Rosberg (Mercedes), the “world champion of free practice”, finally comes out of his box and sets the best time, in 1:28:357. Button meanwhile bites him but Rosberg then catches him, in 1:27:659.

Jenson Button is at ease on the Melbourne circuit and proves it by setting the best time, in 1:27:482. But the session was interrupted again, due to further damage to Kobayashi's car, which spilled debris from his Sauber C29 onto the Melbourne asphalt.

The last half hour of the race is popular with the new teams, who can send their cars onto the track with great hope. At the top of the timesheet, Robert Kubica is good. Second behind Button, he was then faster and set the best time, in 1:27:327, before improving it to 1:26:927.

Several drivers improved in the final minutes of the session, notably Felipe Massa (Ferrari), which climbs to fourth place, in 1:27:511. Sébastien Buemi (Toro Rosso) joins the fight for the first places, taking the eighth time, in 1:28??014. As for Paul di Resta (Force India), the “beginner” from Melbourne, he ranked eleventh, in 1:28:537.