2024-03-22 06:17:53
For the first time in 2024, Red Bull looks vulnerable. The first day of free practice at the Australian GP leaves Ferrari ahead of the rest and Verstappen certainly uncomfortable, unable to get close to Leclerc’s times with track advantage (he did his laps with the soft one later) and set changes. up at the last minute. Something is wrong with that RB20. Meanwhile, the Monegasque Ferrari driver led the time table ahead of Max (0.381) and a hard-working Sainz (0.430) in his first laps after the appendicitis operation. If Verstappen and a theoretically limping Carlos are barely separated, the SF-24 can surprise this weekend in the beautiful Albert Park.
The increasingly shorter long runs of the second session did not show a Ferrari in inferiority. On the contrary, Leclerc made good times, the best. Meanwhile, there was a flat bottom change in Verstappen’s car. Pérez was far away (8th, 0.813). After the first practice session, they were not happy in the Red Bull garage. After the second, it’s better not to ask. All you have to do is listen to Verstappen’s radios. They are still the strongest team and have room for improvement, although it is worth remembering that Melbourne is not one of the most favorable circuits for Red Bull. Charles won in 2022 and Verstappen, who abandoned that race, only has one victory here (2023). Little within its exaggerated statistics.
F1 2024 Australian GP free practice classification
One lap away, the Aston Martin puts up a fight. Stroll was fourth and Alonso, fifth. The Canadian’s laps were surprising, with some errors in the third sector. As for the Spaniard, he had a scare in the first free practice, an exit from the track that resulted in the change of the flat bottom. Aston debuts flaps on the front wing and the circuit accompanies the AMR24 because the four DRS zones can enhance the benefits of this car. In the race it will be something else, but if they defend a good grid position (from the second row up) perhaps they can aspire to the top-5 this Sunday. And that would be a lot.
McLaren is one step further behind and Mercedes is not finishing up, because Russell is there (6th, 0.674) but Hamilton (18th, 1.557) completed one of the worst Fridays in memory. The seven-time champion was only faster than Magnussen (Haas) and Albon, who crashed in the morning (forced a red flag) and was unable to ride in the afternoon, because Williams does not have a replacement chassis in Australia. You can also hear him protesting on the radio, like Verstappen, although everyone is in his league: for the Englishman, the points get complicated; Max might be second.
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