– Lewis Hamilton comfortably topped Friday's first practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, finishing over half a second clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas, as Mercedes used the Ultra Soft tyre compound.Mercedes, which has claimed both titles for the past three years, moved to the front early on, Hamilton and Bottas trading fastest lap times.Bottas led the way on the Super Soft tyre, clocking a 1:25.142, before switching to Ultra Softs and posting a 1:24.803 – dented by a mistake.Hamilton's switch to the purple-marked rubber was much smoother and he duly stormed clear with a 1:24.220, going purple in all three sectors.Mercedes' anticipated main rivals, Red Bull and Ferrari,...
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