Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher has turned back the clock in practice for Sunday's season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix.
Schumacher clocked the fastest lap in the second practice session on Friday in his Mercedes.
He swooped with his 1min 29.183sec lap at the death to snatch the honours from Force India's Nico Hulkenberg.
But the quickest times of the day were set in the first session, with second session times at Albert Park much slower because of heavy rain prior.
McLaren had finished one-two in the opening practice session, with Jenson Button's first session lap remaining the day's quickest.
His 1min 27.560sec lap was two-tenths clear of teammate Lewis Hamilton's best with Schumacher next - perhaps signalling the German has the best car he has been in since his return to F1.
Last year's champion Red Bull Racing struggled to keep pace late in both sessions, with Australia's Mark Webber fifth and reigning titleholder Sebastian Vettel a shock 11th to start the day.
They had more difficulties in the second session - Vettel 10th fastest and Webber 11th.
But there was good news for Australia with rookie Daniel Ricciardo making a stunning debut before his home race, forcing his Toro Rosso into seventh in session one before a much more pedestrian 21st of the 24 drivers in session two.
Ricciardo's French teammate Jean-Eric Vergne was more than two seconds slower than the West Australian in the opening session, finishing 19th on the timesheets.
