Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes topped both Friday sessions in Australia and warned there is “plenty to improve on”.

The defending World Champion finished 0.038 seconds ahead of Sebastian Vettel in FP1 and 0.048 seconds clear of team-mate Valtteri Bottas in FP2 at Albert Park.

The general consensus from pre-season testing was Ferrari are the team to beat this season but the Silver Arrows pulled out an eight tenth gap to their nearest rivals during the second practice session.

“I have a positive buzz from driving the car today,” Hamilton told reporters in the Australia paddock.

“This is what I love doing.