Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton set the pace in the opening practice session of the Australian Grand Prix weekend, as the 2017 Formula 1 season got underway.
The three-time world champion drew first blood in FP1, putting in a best time of 1:24.220 on the ultra-soft tyre with half an hour left on the clock.
Hamilton's best lap proved to be just four tenths slower than his pole position time for last year's Australian GP in Melbourne.
He moved clear of his new team-mate Valtteri Bottas, who was demoted to second just under six tenths further back. The Finn had traded quickest times with Daniel Ricciardo early on.
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Home favourite Ricciardo was third fastest, ahead of the second Red Bull RB13 of Max Verstappen. Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen rounded out the top five.
Raikkonen’s team-mate Sebastian Vettel was sixth, 1.2 seconds off Hamilton’s pace, with Felipe Massa in seventh for Williams.
Despite a shaking shark fin and T-Wing, Romain Grosjean was eighth for Haas, ahead of Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg and Force India’s Sergio Perez – sporting the team’s new pink livery.
The Toro Rosso duo of Carlos Sainz Jr. and Daniil Kvyat were next up, with Williams rookie Lance Stroll in 13th. The Canadian was the first to set a timed lap in the session.
McLaren’s weekend got off to a mixed start, with Fernando Alonso 14th and Stoffel Vandoorne slowest of all after early problems.
He was not the only one to suffer issues though. Esteban Ocon’s running was delayed by a brake problem, while Jolyon Palmer’s session was cut short by a seal-related issue.
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