F1 Results Today: Australian Grand Prix practice times - Verstappen easily beaten as key F1 rival goes fastest

Ferrari delivered an impressive showing in second practice for the Australian Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc led the way from Max Verstappen in second and Carlos Sainz in third.

The Monegasque driver had a four-tenth advantage over Max Verstappen, who struggled to complete a qualifying simulation together across either of the practice sessions having damaged the floor of his car during the morning runs.

The wind appeared to play less havoc for the drivers in the late afternoon, with less mistakes over the course of FP2 in a session that only featured 19 drivers with Alex Albon's FP1 dramas leaving Williams with a huge headache for the rest of the weekend.

Both Aston Martins surprised with both cars inside the top five, including Lance Stroll ahead of his team-mate Fernando Alonso in fourth.

Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton continued to struggle, ending Friday’s running in a shocking 18th place and leaving the Silver Arrows with plenty of work to do overnight.

READ MORE: Mercedes DAMAGE Hamilton hopes after key F1 moves

Lando Norris set the early pace in FP1 for McLaren, closely followed by Max Verstappen who had a scruffy session in second.

Just two tenths of a second separated the top nine cars as Lewis Hamilton struggled with multiple moments which left him questioning whether he had broken his floor.

With just 20 minutes to go in the session, Alex Albon sustained heavy damage in a shunt on the exit of turn seven, which forced a red flag and may have ended his entire weekend prematurely.

Most drivers struggled down the road at the tricky turn ten, with the likes of Valtteri Bottas, George Russell and Fernando Alonso all taking trips through the runoff area.

READ MORE: Verstappen makes DEFINITIVE announcement on Red Bull future

Here are the timesheets from all the practice action in Melbourne.

F1 FP2 Results: Australian Grand Prix

1. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] - 1:17:277

2. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - +0.381sec

3. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] - +0.430sec

4. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] - +0.545sec

5. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] - +0.635sec

6. George Russell [Mercedes] - +0.674sec

7. Oscar Piastri [McLaren} - +0.800sec

8. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] - +0.813sec

9. Lando Norris [McLaren] - +0.878sec

10. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB] - +0.911sec

11. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber] - +1.144sec

12. Daniel Ricciardo [VCARB] - +1.257sec

13. Logan Sargeant [Williams] - +1.301sec

14. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber] - +1.308sec

15. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +1.414sec

16. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas] - +1.425sec

17. Esteban Ocon [Alpine] - +1.428sec

18. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes] - +1.557sec

19. Kevin Magnussen [Haas] - +1.998sec

20. Alex Albon [Williams] - DNP

F1 FP1 Results: Australian Grand Prix 2024

1. Lando Norris [McLaren] - 1:18:564sec

2. Max Verstappen [Red Bull] - +0.018sec

3. George Russell [Mercedes] - +0.033sec

4. Charles Leclerc [Ferrari] - +0.035sec

5. Yuki Tsunoda [VCARB] - +0.057sec

6. Sergio Perez [Red Bull] - +0.078sec

7. Lance Stroll [Aston Martin] - +0.103sec

8. Carlos Sainz [Ferrari] - +0.122sec

9. Lewis Hamilton [Mercedes] - +0.207sec

10. Oscar Piastri [McLaren] - +0.354sec

11. Daniel Ricciardo [VCARB] - +0.710sec

12. Alex Albon [Williams] - +0.879sec

13. Kevin Magnussen [Haas] - +0.925sec

14. Logan Sargeant [Williams] - +0.955sec

15. Esteban Ocon [Alpine] - +0.997sec

16. Nico Hulkenberg [Haas] - +1.040sec

17. Pierre Gasly [Alpine] - +1.058sec

18. Fernando Alonso [Aston Martin] - +1.152sec

19. Zhou Guanyu [Kick Sauber] - +1.425sec

20. Valtteri Bottas [Kick Sauber] +1.450sec

Is there Formula 1 today?

There are two practice sessions in Melbourne today, as the Australian Grand Prix gets underway.

FP1 started at 12.30pm local time (1.30am UK, 2.30am CET) with FP2 later in the day at 4pm AEDT - that's 5am UK, 6am CET.

Who is the current F1 world champion?

The imperious Max Verstappen is the current reigning Formula 1 champion, having won three consecutive titles between 2021 and 2023.

READ MORE: F1 Practice Today: Australian Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV

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