MELBOURNE, Australia -- Lewis Hamilton ensured Mercedes picked up where they left in 2017 by topping the timesheets in the opening practice session of the Australian Grand Prix.
The four-time world champion, who is looking for his third win Down Under, clocked a 1:24.026 midway through the session on the ultrasoft tyre to head the field and teammate Valtteri Bottas by 0.551s. Winter testing in Barcelona suggested the world champions would once again be Formula One's benchmark team with increased reliability and improved long-run pace and so far Melbourne has justified that belief.
Max Verstappen finished third quickest and was the fastest of a tight Red Bull and Ferrari quartet, albeit over seven tenths of a second off Hamilton's pace.