Charles Leclerc beat the McLaren pair to put Ferrari on top in the second practice session for the Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne.
His quickest time of 1’16.439 was half a second off last year’s pole position time at the Albert Park circuit.The McLaren pair were a tenth of a second slower than Leclerc, Oscar Piastri leading his team mate Lando Norris by 17 thousandths of a second on his home track.
Racing Bulls impressed in the second session, Yuki Tsunoda lapping three-tenths of a second off the pace in fourth. His rookie team mate Isack Hadjar was only two-tenths of a second slower in sixth, the pair separated by Lewis Hamilton in the second Ferrari.
Several drivers were delayed by traffic during the session, notably Max Verstappen, who took multiple attempts to produce a flying lap on soft tyres. His best effort was six tenths of a second off Leclerc’s.
Nico Hulkenberg was eighth quickest for Sauber following a scruffy start to his session. He had to pit early on after discovering a safety plug had been left in his car by mistake, then had a bumpy ride through the gravel trap at turn six.
Following their eye-catching performance in the first practice session, neither Williams driver placed in the top 10, though they did set identical lap times to within a thousandth of a second. Lance Stroll was ninth and George Russell just three-thousandths of a second behind him in 10th.
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Liam Lawson was a lowly 17th for Red Bull. He had a brief incident with Norris when they left the pits as the session began, the McLaren driver taking to the grass to avoid hitting the RB21.
Haas worked throughout the session to repair the damage Oliver Bearman incurred in his earlier crash. However they ran out of time to fix the car before the session ended and he failed to set a lap.
2025 Australian Grand Prix Grand Prix second practice result
| P. | # | Driver | Team | Model | Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’16.439 | 32 | |
| 2 | 81 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’16.563 | 0.124 | 30 |
| 3 | 4 | Lando Norris | McLaren-Mercedes | MCL39 | 1’16.580 | 0.141 | 30 |
| 4 | 22 | Yuki Tsunoda | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’16.784 | 0.345 | 29 |
| 5 | 44 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | SF-25 | 1’16.859 | 0.420 | 31 |
| 6 | 6 | Isack Hadjar | Racing Bulls-Honda RBPT | 02 | 1’17.019 | 0.580 | 30 |
| 7 | 1 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’17.063 | 0.624 | 22 |
| 8 | 27 | Nico Hulkenberg | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’17.161 | 0.722 | 24 |
| 9 | 18 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’17.279 | 0.840 | 28 |
| 10 | 63 | George Russell | Mercedes | W16 | 1’17.282 | 0.843 | 30 |
| 11 | 55 | Carlos Sainz Jnr | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’17.302 | 0.863 | 30 |
| 12 | 23 | Alexander Albon | Williams-Mercedes | FW47 | 1’17.302 | 0.863 | 28 |
| 13 | 14 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin-Mercedes | AMR25 | 1’17.330 | 0.891 | 27 |
| 14 | 7 | Jack Doohan | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’17.394 | 0.955 | 30 |
| 15 | 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine-Renault | A525 | 1’17.493 | 1.054 | 30 |
| 16 | 12 | Andrea Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | W16 | 1’17.634 | 1.195 | 31 |
| 17 | 30 | Liam Lawson | Red Bull-Honda RBPT | RB21 | 1’17.640 | 1.201 | 30 |
| 18 | 5 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Sauber-Ferrari | C45 | 1’17.847 | 1.408 | 29 |
| 19 | 31 | Esteban Ocon | Haas-Ferrari | VF-25 | 1’18.034 | 1.595 | 31 |
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2025 Australian Grand Prix
- Contact with team mate may have led to Bortoleto’s Austrian GP crash
- Hamilton dismisses ‘negativity’ over his radio calls. ‘Other drivers are almost abusive’
- Antonelli “got really scared” when he made “big save” on first lap of Australian GP
- Williams explain role played by car’s systems in Sainz’s race-ending crash
- Norris is only driver besides Verstappen to win back-to-back races since 2021
Ben
14th March 2025, 6:23
Those words from Fred make much more sense now. I think Hamilton might cost Ferrari a WCC and himself an early end of career.
If he’s trundling round in the lower top 10 while Leclerc is winning and getting podiums I expect Ferrari to turn on him real quick.
BasCB (@bascb)
14th March 2025, 6:31
Do I expect Leclerc to beat Hamilton in qualifying – Yes. Certainly at the first race of the season, given how good Leclerc has always been in qualifying and Hamilton is still adapting a bit. But from having a difference of 4 tenths in this session to deciding Hamilton “will cost Ferrari a WCC” is a bit rich IMO.
Hamilton was in the top 5 right now, not “the lower top 10”. And it’s the second free practice in the first race weekend of the season. I do expect him to be closer on race pace before he gets close to Leclerc in qualifying.
The really interesting thing would be to see how the race goes, especially if it’s wet. Hamilton used to be deemed really good in the wet (but hasn’t been able to show much of that performance in recent cars), will he be able to grab some attention in those conditions in the Ferrari?
Ben
14th March 2025, 7:06
“will he be able to grab some attention in those conditions in the Ferrari?” – No. Rewatch Brazil.
I think it’s common sense that he’ll cost Ferrari the WCC. Put Sainz in the car and you’ve got a Ferrari1-2. I don’t see how Ferrari can compete with McLaren with one driver being considerably worse. 0.4-0.5 off isn’t going to cut it this year.
P5 and P12 today actually, and after a poor year in 2024 where he often finished in the lower top 10. No confidence that he’ll be any different this year. Outpaced by Tsunoda in both sessions I see no way he makes Q3 tomorrow.
jamesluke24
14th March 2025, 7:17
I think this is nonsense. This is his first race for Ferrari, when we know Lewis strength is the race not qualifying. Making assumptions now with very little data is poor.
Let’s see the first 10 races..
SteveP
14th March 2025, 8:47
Or, on the other hand, rewatch Silverstone 2024.
We can all pick examples that show a favourable view to match whatever point we choose to make.
Do either Silverstone or Brazil really prove anything much?
Ben
14th March 2025, 11:42
Yes, that the Ferrari isn’t the best car to be in when it rains. As per my original point.
stefano (@alfa145)
14th March 2025, 11:54
it all boils down to how quicky, if at all, can Hamilton make the car to his liking. Which I doubt, but still, Ferrari might even go for it early in the season to give him a shot. The reason I doubt it, is because of next year development to be chased early on, and if you have a car capable of winning with Leclerc it’s hard to justify a double effort to make Hamilton happy as well. The only way I can see Hamilton stay past this season in Ferrari is if next year car is built on his input.
Bobby (@shakenbake)
14th March 2025, 6:52
I expect to read unsubstantiated Hamilton bashing on other forums but not Race Fans. 6th in second practice at the first race of the year equates to him losing Ferrari the WCC?
Sure, I expect Leclerc to beat him this year but let’s wait till he’s got a few races in red under his belt shall we before writing him off or not?
Ben
14th March 2025, 7:12
Why? He’s a 7x WDC and has the most experience of anyone on the grid. If Bearman can jump in an F1 car he’s rarely driven and be 0.6 off Leclerc in his first practice I see no problem expecting more from Hamilton. He delivers a 0.6 gap in P1 and a 0.42 gap in P2. It’s not good enough.
How can Sainz move team and match and better Albon instantly. This nonsense of “give him time” never works on established drivers. You’re either quick or you’re not. In this case Hamilton is the latter.
Tommy C (@tommy-c)
14th March 2025, 7:38
Mate, it’s practice on a Friday in a new car and team. At least let the bloke get through a proper competitive session or two before drawing any conclusions. I fully expect Lewis to be right at the sharp end on Sunday if the forecast rain arrives.
Frank
14th March 2025, 10:04
FP is not qualy
Qualy is not race.
Race is not championship.
And Albon is not Leclerc
Even a troll should have some standards, no?
Looking forward to the battle between the Ferraris. May the best driver win.
Emma
14th March 2025, 14:27
Brilliant!
David (@nvherman)
14th March 2025, 11:53
Alonso has joined the chat
El Pollo Loco
14th March 2025, 8:40
Well, there are more die hard Hamilton fans on the other end of the spectrum here than any site I’ve been to, but there are still a few Hamilton bashers. Is it bashing Hamilton to say he could cost Ferrari a WCC? I don’t know. If someone said that about another driver I don’t think you’d call it “bashing.”
Is it premature to confidently judge how Lewis will go this season? Extremely. I also personally doubt that even if he never reaches parody with Charles, he’ll cost them anything. It’s a safe guess that OP will continue to be a few tenths off of Lando. That would put Lewis and Oscar at about even one lap pace and I’d favor Lewis in terms of race pace, managing his tires, etc.
Either way, it’s far too early to tell exactly what the pecking order of the teams will be for the first five races let alone after race nine when the flexi wing rule comes into effect. So, let’s all wait a hot second before making any definitive statements.
Ben
14th March 2025, 9:10
There’s a big difference between “bashing” someone and simply stating reality. It’s nothing personal against Hamilton. He seems recharged at Ferrari and has been great in interviews!
Sadly that’s where it ends. He was dominated by Russell last year in qualifying 19-5. I rate Leclerc slightly ahead of Russell so logic tells me this year will be easy work for Leclerc.
I disagree with it being too soon to make judgements. If anything it’s slightly delusional to take nothing from these sessions. Are you seriously expecting Haas on pole? Lawson to out qualifying Max? etc.
They’ve all started to show what they’ve got and test the limits. There’s zero reason to drive 0.4 slower than your team mate on a qualifying sim at any point of the weekend.
I’ve seen this Hamilton for the last 3 years. Occasionally he’ll have a good weekend but too often he’s struggling to make Q3 while his team mate fights for the top 3. With it being extremely close at the top that 0.4 gap could put him out in Q2 or lower top 10 again while Leclerc fights at the front.
People can “expect” or “believe” all they want, look at the past data and it’ll tell you exactly how this season will unfold. I’ll be there at the end of it saying exactly the same thing.
Zach (@zakspeedf1team)
14th March 2025, 9:43
Yes, people can “expect” or “believe” all they want, just like you’re doing right now. Maybe Hamilton will flop this season, or maybe he won’t, I don’t know. As a Hamilton-fan I’m not super optimistic about the coming season. Still I find it extremely funny that you throw around words like “common sense” and “reality”, when you’re also just speculating like the rest of us. No matter what it’ll be interesting to watch.
David BR (@david-br)
14th March 2025, 13:54
Except that you’re predicting he could lose the championship for Ferrari and end his career on the basis of two practice sessions. Do you think we’re all too dumb to notice that you’re the first always to pounce on any sign of Hamilton underperformance to declare his career over? Of course it’s ‘personal’. I just don’t get why you do this so consistently or what strange compulsion is behind it.
El Pollo Loco
14th March 2025, 21:13
As you’ll note, I said it was not bashing Hamilton to assert what you did. He simply has many, many fans here who are incredibly defensive of him.
Kal Peritus
14th March 2025, 7:45
I strongly disagree with this statement. Not it’s just his first hours of the first race weekend, not it’s just the free practice, but actually Hamilton made on average almost identical race pace simulation laps. Average lap time based on 10 laps: Lec-1:22:184, Ham-1:22:228. The real problem is that McLaren in Lando’s hands averaged 1:21:921. Also Russell did 1:21:932 on average in Mercedes although they only used hard tyres.
Craig
14th March 2025, 8:51
I see these comments and assume either weird wishful thinking or a desperate need for attention.
Phil Norman (@phil-f1-21)
14th March 2025, 9:13
+ 1. Yes writing off Hamilton after two practice sessions at the first race. Desperate stuff this early. If Hamilton qualifies in the top 6 I imagine everyone at Ferrari would be quite pleased.
MichaelN
14th March 2025, 9:35
Also confirmed that Tsunoda will beat Verstappen this year. After all, that’s what FP “proved”.
Ben
14th March 2025, 9:50
You’ve literally just proved my point in your sarcastic answer… Maybe that wasn’t as smart as you thought it was.
You clearly think Max will be ahead of Tsunoda this year. Why is that? Could it be you’ve used past results and data to come to a conclusion… I wonder if that conclusion will have the same “lets wait and see” “Tsunoda just needs time” comments or if we’re allowed to make some conclusions but not others…
anon
14th March 2025, 10:38
Ben, it’s more that people think you have already decided on an entrenched position that you will not change – that, if Leclerc is ahead of Hamilton, then Hamilton is underperforming, but if Hamilton were to ever be ahead of Leclerc, then you’ll claim it as proof that Ferrari is favouring Hamilton, not that Leclerc is underperforming.
David BR (@david-br)
14th March 2025, 11:20
@anon
That observation should come with a spoiler alert :)
Ben
14th March 2025, 11:35
Well that would be a very silly thing to do and the wrong conclusion for people to come to. If Hamilton beats Leclerc I’ll obviously say he did the better job. I simply call it how I see it. I don’t have any bias one way or the other against either Ferrari driver. I’d actually like Hamilton to do well to give us a closer team/championship battle.
Again, a completely wrong conclusion to make. I have no bias towards Leclerc at all. If Hamilton finishes ahead it’ll obviously be because he performed better, unless Leclerc had car issues. I’d say exactly the same thing the other way too. So far no driver has had known car troubles so I’m safely assuming Leclerc is just performing better.
MichaelN
14th March 2025, 20:20
We can expect Verstappen to be ahead of Tsunoda because Red Bull 1 is a much better outfit than Red Bull 2. The chance of that being different in 2025 are essentially zero. The drivers are largely irrelevant in this.
When one suggests that “Hamilton might cost Ferrari a WCC” it first needs to be established that Ferrari has a genuine shot at the WCC. We have no clue if that’s the case, and won’t for many weeks to come. We’ll see in due time.
Hamilton is great, but he’s not superhuman. He’ll need some time. How much? Everyone will have an opinion on this. I’d expect Hamilton to be up to speed in three or four weekends – but again, just an opinion. And maybe he won’t be faster than Leclerc. Totally possible. In fact, I’d be a bit disappointed in Ferrari and Leclerc if he was. We’ll see. If he’s closer to Leclerc than Sainz was and can win a race or two, it’ll already be an upgrade for the team and should – car allowing – set them up for a good campaign.
Tony Mansell (@tonymansell)
14th March 2025, 13:18
@Ben. Turn on him as quickly as you, after 2 practice sessions of F1 you mean? Beyond satire and about as objective as a Kremlin officials opinion on Putin’s suit choice
Edvaldo
14th March 2025, 13:40
lol look at this drama.
If McLaren happens to have the best car, they’re the favourites for the WCC with Hamilton or Sainz there.
Sainz was also off the pace of Leclerc constantly, it happened way too many times for this, first Friday of the year, first official session for Hamilton with a non-Mercedes powered car in 18 seasons, to be so decisive about what is to come about this season.
MacLeod (@macleod)
14th March 2025, 14:10
Lewis is a great driver so thinking he is finished after FP 2 of race is total nonesense!
Personally I think Lewis need 6-8 races to get total comfy with the car so just wait untill then!
Invisiblekid (@invisiblekid)
14th March 2025, 15:55
My God people need to calm down lol. You lot are unreal, we’ve not even done a quali or race yet, wind your necks in.
grat
14th March 2025, 17:55
Oh, you’re funny. Less than 4 tenths off the pace in race pace, but still faster than nearly all the field, and you think Hamilton will cost Ferrari the WCC?
Ferrari and McLaren have the two most closely matched drivers on the grid, and you somehow think this is a problem.
How much DO you hate Lewis Hamilton?
Jere (@jerejj)
14th March 2025, 6:36
Bearman’s unforced error ultimately proved costly & quite a lot of traffic problems.
Sumedh
14th March 2025, 7:53
What’s wrong with Haas. They have been last every session in Australia and in Bahrain testing. Why is the team giving Stake F1 vibes
El Pollo Loco
14th March 2025, 8:46
Unlike last season, when they shared an identical, upgraded front and rear suspension with Ferrari that solved both the teams’ tire wear issues and also produced even more pace (though pure pace had not been much of a problem for either), this season it doesn’t have a fully matching suspension. So, they’ll have to find more pace themselves and development has never been a Haas strong suit.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
14th March 2025, 8:19
They’re both driving that Williams at exactly 100% already! Very impressive.
Leo B
14th March 2025, 9:28
Some people are already deciding the whole championship on the basis of one early fp session.
I’m not as sure as that. Let’s wait till the first race at least.
someone or something
14th March 2025, 11:24
And keep in mind that Albert Park has always been a bit of an outlier track. Expect the pecking order to change quite a bit between now and next week, because Shanghai is a more mainstream circuit.
But yeah, these proclamations about th outcome of the World Championship after one (1) day of practice are peak insufferable.
grat
14th March 2025, 17:56
How DARE you be reasonable?!?? This is the internet, where all results must be ridiculously over-analyzed and filtered through personal bias to come up with insanely absurd predictions!!!!!
cdavman (@cdavman)
14th March 2025, 12:00
Completely aside from driver performance, but did anyone else notice the broadcast radio messages sounded weird?
It seems like they’re maybe using AI or something to try and clean up the audio… But it’s just made the drivers and engineers have weirdly digitised robotic sounding voices.
David
14th March 2025, 14:26
i was excited to see what the intro to the broadcast looked like and it had creepy AI texture vibes. it looked terrible.
i watched the matrix last night and the scene where morpheus says humans in the early 21st century celebrated as we created AI…..man….is that a movie or a documentary? lol
Alonslow
14th March 2025, 16:03
Big drama about Hamilton, he’s not that far away from Leclerc to cost Ferrari a championship but he’s not gonna improve so much he will leave Charles in the dust like Max with Sergio (or Max and Lawson, that’s is a difference that will cost you a WCC).
Lewis is a old driver, he’s 40, he’s not gonna turn into his 2007 self anytime soon, he will either keep the level he currently has or decline further, fans need to accept that and enjoy the few years Lewis has in the sport without expecting him to pull out a eight, ninth or tenth championship.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
14th March 2025, 17:33
Yes, I wouldn’t count him out, but beating leclerc is already a tough ask at his age, and on top of that ferrari would finally have to have the best car, which hasn’t happened since 2008, dare I say.
For some cases where they got close, they had the joint-best car in 2018 imo, and they had a very good car early on in 2022, but lost out as the season progressed.
Alonslow
14th March 2025, 19:52
Yes I think the same, I put my money on Charles being the number 1 with Hamilton close enough like Sainz.
Esploratore (@esploratore1)
14th March 2025, 17:33
And no matter how good ferrari is, if red bull is close it’s difficult to beat verstappen for anyone.