Ahead of today's sole practice session the air temperature is 20 degrees C, while the track temperature is 35 degrees.

At a time Stefano Domenicali is poo-pooing criticism of the rules overhaul, and previously having told us all not to panic, just hours before the session the FIA announced that due to "safety concerns" the straight mode zone between Turns 8 and 9.

"It is reasonably significant as a change, because teams have to adjust their set-ups of the cars," said the FIA's Single Seat Director, Nikolas Tombazis. "They have been running Friday in one condition, and they now need to make adjustments. So I'm sure there will be some who are not happy about that. But we feel that obviously, trying to put safety first, we think that's the most responsible course of action for this weekend.

"On most of the circuits these zones are fairly straight forward," he continued, "they are in genuine straight areas of the circuit. On three or four circuits in the year, one of which is Melbourne unfortunately, they also include some zones which are fairly curved, as happens on the fourth straight mode zone here in Melbourne between corners 8 and 9. So, we had a meeting yesterday with the drivers and some expressed a concern that the downforce in that area was a bit too low, especially if they were fighting for position with other cars and they felt they could risk losing control of the car in such conditions.

"As, of course, safety is number one for us, we decided following some analysis to err on the side of caution and to remove the fourth straight mode zone here for Melbourne, starting from FP3 and of course for qualifying in the race."

One team source told The Race: "This is like a football referee changing the size of the goalposts at halftime."

Indeed, such was the reaction from some of the teams - but not all - the FIA subsequently reversed their decision and the zone was reinstated.

One has a feeling that post qualifying and tomorrow's race there may be more changes to come... but for God's sake, don't panic!

While Ferrari led the way in FP1, edging out Red Bull, in the second session it was McLaren - in the shape of Piastri - and Mercedes. Norris has had a troubled start to the weekend, as have Williams, Cadillac and poor old Aston Martin.

On his debut for the big team, Hadjar impressed, as did Lindblad at Racing Bulls.

As was the case yesterday morning, in the moments before the start of the session Alonso is still in civvies.

There is a delay to the start of the session as some barriers are repaired following the F3 session.

Colapinto heads down the pitlane on hards to get the session underway, twenty minutes later than originally scheduled.

He is followed by Perez (mediums) and Hamilton (softs).

Despite earlier appearances, Alonso heads out... on mediums, along with Gasly, Hulkenberg and Bortoleto.

Colapinto posts a benchmark 24.222, but Hamilton responds with a 21.599.

A big, big lock-up for Alonso, as Gasly goes second with a 23.473.

As Norris heads out, Hamilton improves to 20.572.

Hulkenberg goes second and his Audi teammate third, both, like Hamilton, are on the softs.

Alonso goes sixth, 3.5s off the pace.

Sainz has stopped at Turn 13, at the pitlane entrance, as Williams woes continue. Albon had a similar issue in FP1.

After a frustrating delay the VSC is eventually deployed in order that the stricken Spaniard can be rescued.

As marshals arrive to remove the car, Sainz climbs out but appears mystified as to what is happening.

Bearman reports an issue with his headrest.

Finally, the session is red flagged... which should have happened several minutes earlier.

With 45 minutes remaining only 13 drivers have posted times.

The session resumes and Norris leads the way, followed by Piastri, Russell, Verstappen and Leclerc.

Verstappen goes second, and Leclerc third but both are demoted when Antonelli posts a 20.324.

Piastri goes fifth with a 21.179 while a 21.438 puts his teammate eighth, both, like most, are now on softs.

"There's a blue light on my left led, I don't know what it is," says Hamilton.

Leclerc goes quickest with a 20.271as Lindblad improves to tenth on the hards.

Hamilton retakes the top spot with a 20.176, as Piastri goes third.

Again, both Audis are in the top ten, while the Cadillacs are at the other end of the timesheets.

Albon comes to a halt but is abler to get going again.

A 20.164 sees Piastri take the top spot, 0.012s up on Hamilton, however Leclerc responds with a 19.827.

On softs, Norris can only manage twelfth, which is exactly the number of laps Alonso has completed.

Neither Stroll nor Sainz has posted a time.

Leclerc looks set to improve but has a poor second sector.

We haven't seen much of Russell who is currently down in thirteenth, 1.6s off the pace.

With sixteen minutes to go Hulkenberg has the track to himself as the field prepare for the qualifying sims.

First out are the Mercedes pair on fresh softs. In the Red Bull garage Verstappen is still making set-up changes.

Antonelli crashes at Turn 2. He is out of the car but there is a lot of damage to the Mercedes.

The session is red-flagged.

Replay shows he goes over the inside kerb and careers sideways into the barrier opposite.

Ironically his teammate had gone quickest of all in the opening two sectors.

Looking at the stricken W17 it is unlikely it will be repaired intime for qualifying, while the damage to the barrier means the session is unlikely to be restarted.

Back in the garage, Antonelli wants to see the data and the reason he crashed.

The all-clear is given with just over 5 minutes remaining. Understandably, there is a mad rush to get back on track with Norris heading the queue, ahead of Russell, Leclerc, Albon and Ocon.

Soon all 19 remaining drivers - Stroll having pulled out - are on track.

Norris improves to fifth but is demoted when Russell goes top with a 19.053.

Gasly goes twelfth, Bortoleto seventh, Piastri third and Hamilton second with a 19.669, 0.616s off Russell's pace.

Lindblad goes tenth, Verstappen sixth and Hadjar fifth!

Bearman tenth and Albon seventeenth, as Verstappen complains about his steering.

The session ends. Russell is quickest, ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Hadjar, Verstappen, Antonelli, Norris, Bortoleto and Bearman.

Lindblad is eleventh, ahead of Lawson, Ocon, Hulkenberg, Gasly, Colapinto, Albon, Alonso, Bottas and Perez.

So, finally a picture begins to emerge and it looks as though those naughty boys in Brackley have been sandbagging after all.

A 0.6s advantage is quite something, however we're sure that Ferrari will be looking to close that gap, as will McLaren and Red Bull who were both over a second adrift.