Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin-Mercedes) set the fastest time in the second free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix, third round of the Formula 1 World Championship, on Friday at the Albert Park circuit (5.278 km) in Melbourne.
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The only driver to have fallen below the 1 min 19 sec mark, the Spaniard was nearly half a second ahead of the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, while the reigning double world champion Max Verstappen, who had been the fastest in the first free practice earlier in the day, set the third fastest time in a session marked by rain.
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Briton George Russell took the fourth fastest time, far ahead of his compatriot and teammate Lewis Hamilton, only 13th when he had won the second fastest time earlier in the day.
Spaniard Carlos Sainz ranked fifth at the wheel of the second Ferrari, just ahead of Frenchman Esteban Ocon (Alpine), who recovered well after a disappointing first session (16th).
Mexican Sergio Pérez set the seventh fastest time, ahead of Briton Lando Norris, who had already been solid (7th) at the start of the afternoon.
The German Nico Hulkenberg created a surprise at the wheel of his Haas by interfering in the Top 10 (9th), which is completed by the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (10th).
The third free practice session is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. local time (03:30 a.m. French time) on Saturday, while qualifying will take place at 4:00 p.m. local time (07:00 a.m. French time).