PRACTICE DEBRIEF: A close fight up front while two midfield teams impress – how is the pecking order looking in Australia?

Melbourne’s Albert Park was rocking as a highly-anticipated Friday practice got under way ahead of what could be Formula 1’s closest ever season. And while teams were keen to keep their cards close to their respective chests, a pecking order of sorts has started to emerge.

McLaren building on testing promise

Ferrari may have led the classification in Friday practice through Charles Leclerc, but it was McLaren who ended the day on top according to our data.