F1 - General discussion and 2017

"The Red Bull is not really responding to this compound at all," says Paul Di Resta of these underwhelming RB13 laps on the ultrasofts.

"Perhaps they're running more fuel, but I wouldn't have thought so."

And, to underline that lack of pace, Verstappen goes well wide on the exit of Turn 11, kicking up all kinds of grass and dirt.

"The front just didn't pick up," adds Di Resta.

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Guess we'll have to wait till tomorrow to see who is faster of them all.
 
"Toto do you mind slowing your cars down...the racing is meant to be closer this season."

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New MD Ross Brawn pops in for a chat with @MercedesAMGF1's Toto Wolff #AusGP #F1
 
As the long runs begin, that half-second gap to his new team-mate is likely to concern Valtteri Bottas a touch heading towards qualifying tomorrow. It was the same in first practice too.

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Red Bull have not had the most enjoyable session so far with Daniel Ricciardo and Max Verstappen over a second behind Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes and half a second off Sebastian Vettel's Ferrari.

Team boss Christian Horner says: "Daniel's not quite got the balance that he wants . I think a couple of changes we've made on the car over lunch he's not liked so we're going back on them now. Hopefully we can get a sensible long run in

"Unfortunately running out wide at Turn 12 has caused a bit of damage to the floor of Max's car. The guys are investigating whether it can be repaired or not. He's taken a bit too much speed and got a bit high and wide on the turn.

"You can see Lewis has probably got four or five tenths on the field but after that it could be pretty tight. We haven't had a particularly fair run yet. We know Ferrari have had a good winter but we're hopeful we can close that overnight. We'll get a better indication tomorrow but we've got some work to do tonight."
 
The good news is there have been no on-track breakdowns for McLaren today and, despite fears they could be with Sauber at the back this weekend, Fernando Alonso is up in a fairly respectable 12th place.

But this was supposed to be the year when the team were back in podium contention...and that still seems a long way off.

Nonetheless, the first signs of the progress with the Honda-powered MCL32...

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Australian GP Practice Two Timesheet

1. Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, 1:24.220
2. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari + 0.547
3. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes + 0.556
4. Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari + 0.905
5. Daniel Ricciardo, Red Bull
6. Max Verstappen, Red Bull
7. Carlos Sainz, Toro Rosso
8. Romain Grosjean, Haas
9. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault
10. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso
11. Sergio Perez, Force India
12. Fernando Alonso, McLaren
13. Esteban Ocon, Force India
14. Felipe Massa, Williams
15. Marcus Ericsson, Sauber
16. Lance Stroll, Williams
17. Stoffel Vandoorne, McLaren
18. Pascal Wehrlein, Sauber
19. Kevin Magnussen, Haas,
20. Jolyon Palmer, Renault

All fastest laps set on ultrasofts except Verstappen, Massa, Magnussen, Palmer on supersofts
 
Haha, these team bosses. They all have that look that says, "Can we hurry this up, I have better things to do"
 
Are Ferrari Sandbagging? Or is that merc still the ****ing quickest :mad:
 
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