Defending Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton topped the timesheets for Mercedes at the end of the first free practice for the Australian Grand Prix – the first of the season – on Friday, edging rivals Ferrari in an eventful session. The Briton lapped Albert Park in one minute 23.599 seconds, pipping championship rival Sebastian Vettel by 0.038 seconds on a warm and sunny afternoon at the lakeside circuit. Vettel's rookie teammate Charles Leclerc was third fastest, 0.074 seconds slower than Hamilton, raising hopes of a proper battle between the championship's leading teams. Max Verstappen was fourth quickest for Red Bull, less than two-tenths of a second shy of Hamilton....
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