Mercedes F1 Schumacher sets the pace in Melbourne

Mercedes F1 Michael Schumacher - fastest in practice in Australia

With the first F1 Grand Prix of the 2012-2013 season taking place this Sunday at Melbourne’s Albert Park, we thought we’d look in at Friday’s practice to see if there are any clues to this year’s form.

To be honest, Friday practice is often more tactical than anything else so we shouldn’t read too much in to what’s gone on. But that said, Michael Schumacher managed to hit the quickest time of the day in second practice in the contentious Mercedes.

Contentious Mercedes because other teams have been complaining that the new rear wing on the car broke FIA rules by having slots on the underside to increase downforce without hurting top speed, but now officials have approved it and it certainly looks to help. Expect a catch-up from other teams tout suit.

Schumacher may have set the quickest time in the Mercedes in a brief interlude of dry running time in second practice, but it was McLaren with Button and Hamilton who had the pace in the first, damp, session. But even then, Schumacher was third fastest with Ferrari’s Alonso on his tail.

But what of Red Bull, you ask? Well, it looks like there was no real intent to compete for times from either Webber or Vettel, with Webber managing 5th and Vettel a lowly 11th in first practice followed by 10th and 11th in the second. But don’t read too much in to that – Saturday qualifying will doubtless see Red Bull show their hand.

If we can read anything in to the first real competitive foray from this year’s crop of F1 cars, it could be evidence that Michael Schumacher might just be back in contention in 2012.