MELBOURNE: Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets for Ferrari in the second free practice at the Australian Grand Prix in the present day after Williams driver Alex Albon wrecked his automotive in the primary session with a crash at a well-recognized flip at Albert Park.
Leclerc posted a flying lap of 1:17.277s on comfortable tyres halfway by way of the session, 0.381s faster than Red Bull’s reigning world champion Max Verstappen.
Leclerc’s time was greater than a second sooner than Lando Norris’ pace-setting lap (1:18.564s) in the eventful first practice (FP1), which was halted in the final 20 minutes after Albon’s crash triggered a crimson flag.
The England-born Thai locked up and took a heavy shunt into the barrier at flip six then careened into the alternative barrier to break each side of his automotive and go away particles down a protracted part of the monitor.
It got here a yr after Albon crashed at the identical activate race day, triggering one among three crimson flags.
Albon walked away from his automotive unhurt and apologised on the workforce radio. He missed FP2 as his workforce labored on his automotive, and Williams, who don’t have a spare chassis in Melbourne, could also be down a driver for the remainder of the race weekend if unable to restore it.
Carlos Sainz made a profitable return to his Ferrari race seat two weeks after surgical procedure for appendicitis, posting the third fastest lap in FP2 after being eighth in FP1.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll was fourth in FP2, forward of teammate Fernando Alonso and sixth-quickest Mercedes driver George Russell.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton reported bother along with his Mercedes in FP2, posting solely the 18th fastest lap.
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Both he and Russell had mishaps all through the day, the pair skidding off monitor in the early session, whereas Russell complained about vibration in his steering rack.
