Nico Rosberg of Williams Toyota team topped both the practice sessions amid the diffuser dispute. It is notable that all the three teams under the spotlight, ended the second practice session of the Australian Grand Prix at the head of the timesheets. The practice sessions were largely uneventful.

Rosberg set the pace with a best lap of 1:26.053s, a tenth clear of Brawn Mercedes’ Rubens Barrichello, who was one of the few to find time just ahead of the chequered flag. Rosberg’s time was less than a second off the fastest time in qualifying last year. Jarno Trulli was third fastest for Toyota and put in the most laps in this session. Team-mate Timo Glock was sixth fastest with Mark Webber and Jenson Button splitting the duo for Red Bull Renault and Brawn GP.

Kazuki Nakajima, second fastest in first practice, was again showing well in the second Williams as he posted the seventh fastest time ahead of Sebastian Vettel who looked very ragged and ultimately spun his Red Bull out of the session with 30 minutes remaining.

Kimi Raikkonen was 5th in the morning session but finished the afternoon session 11th fastest. Renault will also be disappointed to see Fernando Alonso and Nelson Piquet 12th and 18th, but they are in good company as both BMW Sauber and McLaren Mercedes also struggled mightily. All the top contenders have got something to think about.