Charles Leclerc impressively set the quickest time in FP2 for the F1 Australian GP at Albert Park, full results and report below.
The Ferrari driver looked composed behind the wheel as the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were his closest challengers.
Lewis Hamilton ended the session fifth fastest after a productive day of running at Ferrari, adjusting to the new SF-25.
The second practice session in Australia kicked off with a flurry of cars quickly leaving the pits. Norris did a practice start and got close to Liam Lawson before taking to the grass to avoid him.
The McLaren driver set the pace early on with a 1:17.671 on the C4 tyre as reigning champion Max Verstappen suffered oversteer at Turn 2.
George Russell usurped his compatriot, going a tenth quicker despite running the less grippy C3 compound in the opening minutes.
Multiple cars went off the track in the opening stages
Sauber had a difficult pre-season test in Bahrain and the Swiss team’s struggles continued with Nico Hulkenberg ran onto the gravel at Turn 6 before carrying on.
Norris went quickest in FP1 but ran wide at Turn 3 after a slight lockup, which cost him time. His car was undamaged after only touching the grass.
Alpine’s Pierre Gasly also made a mistake at the same turn. It was more costly as the Frenchman had to drive through the gravel before rejoining.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton set the early pace
Ferrari have switched to pullrod suspension for 2025. This can open up more potential for the SF-25 and Leclerc topped the timesheets with 20 minutes gone.
The Monegasque set a 1:16.794 ahead of his teammate Lewis Hamilton who seemingly improved after he struggled to 12th place in the opening session. Leclerc was four tenths quicker than the seven-time world champion as the track continued to grip up.
Charles Leclerc topped the times on the soft tyres
The soft tyres are incredibly grippy and Leclerc set a 1:16.439 to set the pace. He sat ahead of Norris with half an hour to go. Local hero Oscar Piastri usurped his teammate after running slightly later and setting the fastest final sector of the lap.
Norris sat third with a tenth and a half between the top three. Hamilton held fifth place, four tenths behind his teammate.
Red Bull’s Verstappen couldn’t break into the 1:16s and set a 1:17.063. He ran wide at Turn 1 and sliding through Turn 3 in a chaotic run as Leclerc set the pace.
Life was slightly more difficult for Kimi Antonelli who sat in 16th place with 20 minutes to go, just ahead of Kiwi Lawson.
Oliver Bearman didn’t set a time for Haas in FP2
Oliver Bearman suffered a big crash towards the end of the opening practice session at Turn 10. The British driver ran wide at Turn 10 before hitting the wall.
He broke the front right suspension of the Haas and the rookie missed the second session while the mechanics repaired the car.
This could be particularly costly as there is just one more practice session before qualifying although he has ran at Albert Park in Formula 2.
Bearman did climb into his car with a couple of minutes left but didn’t get out onto the track, ending a frustrating day.
Charles Leclerc leads the way in second practice
Leclerc set the pace in second practice for the Australian Grand Prix as Ferrari looked easier to drive than the Red Bull in particular.
It was very competitive at the sharp end as McLaren were very strong while Hamilton closed the gap to his teammate after a more difficult FP1.
Verstappen floundered at times as the Dutchman suffered from oversteer and lost track time while making setup changes.
