Buemi confident of strong qualifying

The Toro Rosso driver set the sixth quickest time in the rain-hit second session, having finished eighth in the morning.

"I was quite happy with the way things went, even if the weather was not so good," said Buemi. "Unlike Bahrain, I managed to complete all the sessions which is positive.

"Now we have to analyse the data from FP2 as it should give us a good picture of tyre behaviour in all conditions - wet, dry, high and low fuel - working mainly in race trim.

"We are quite confident that we can be well prepared for qualifying and the race. A good day's work."

Team-mate Jaime Alguersuari was also positive after his first day of running at the Australian circuit, the Spaniard posting the 19th fastest time after 43 laps.

"It is my first time here and I think it is an amazing track," he said. "It's a pleasure to be here in Melbourne, because everyone had told me what a great event this is. Luckily the weather was with us in the first session, so I was able to enjoy learning the track and I was quick.

"This afternoon in the wet in the second session, of course there was a lot less grip, which is made worse by the fact this is a street circuit. All the same, driving for 90 minutes in the different conditions was very useful. A positive start."