Alonso fastest in FP2 before rain hits Melbourne

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso led the way before rain influenced proceedings in second practice for Formula 1’s Australian Grand Prix.

The second one-hour session began under gloomy skies and the threat of rain at Albert Park.

Alonso posted a time of 1:18.887 on Medium tyres to sit 0.445s clear of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before rain started to fall just over 10 minutes into the session.

READ MORE: F1 2023 Australian GP – FP2 Results

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The rain was only light at first, though drivers still returned to the pit lane, before it intensified shortly after the mid-point of proceedings.

That prompted a handful of drivers to explore the circuit on Intermediate tyres – the first wet track activity of 2023 – but the order remained unchanged due to the worsened track conditions.

Runaway title leaders Red Bull wound up with Max Verstappen third and Sergio Perez seventh.

Verstappen ran wide through the Turn 1 grass while Perez was on course to topple Alonso atop the timesheets before being baulked in the final sector.

Mercedes’ George Russell was fourth, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton down in 13th position.

Carlos Sainz classified fifth for Ferrari, ahead of Alpine’s Esteban Ocon and the aforementioned Perez, while Lando Norris, Nico Hulkenberg and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top 10.

Home representative Oscar Piastri finished in 14th place for McLaren.

Williams’ Logan Sargeant did not run in the session as the team continued to assess and repair the electrical issue which halted his FW45 at the end of FP1.

Saturday’s final practice session is scheduled for 12:30 local time