Australian GP: Charles Leclerc tops Max Verstappen in Practice Two as Mercedes woes persist

Charles Leclerc capped off another encouraging day for Ferrari by setting the pace ahead of Max Verstappen in Australian GP second practice, with Mercedes further down the field in a miserable start to their weekend.

Leclerc, the championship leader, and Verstappen, the world champion, have gone head-to-head in two gripping races to start the season and they continued their battle on the opening day of practice in Melbourne – although Ferrari do appear a step faster than closest rivals Red Bull.

After Carlos Sainz topped the first session, Leclerc doubled up by speeding away in second practice with a 1:18.978, two-tenths quicker than Verstappen, who could not hook up a lap to match the Ferrari.

“Ferrari look a bit untouchable,” said Sky Sports F1’s Paul Di Resta.

Sainz was third, ahead of surprise package Fernando Alonso in the Alpine and the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez.

Alpine, mixing it at the front, also had Esteban Ocon in sixth.

Those are the positions you would normally expect Mercedes, but the world champions are still floundering, and well off the pace.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished way down in 11th and 13th respectively in P2, well over a second adrift of Leclerc’s benchmark.

More to follow.