Image source, EPA

Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Melbourne to promote his body building and multi sports competition, but he is not the only one showing his strength in the city, after a dominant display from Mercedes.

That's all from us for coverage of Australian Grand Prix practice. If you are just waking up then have a read of Andrew Benson's report.

We'll be back early on Saturday morning to guide you through third practice, and then qualifying. Join us again then at 02:30 GMT. See you later!

Williams driver Valtteri Bottas, who was fifth fastest: "It felt good but we'll get more out of the car. The times could be telling a little lie."

Lewis Hamilton, after finishing second fastest behind Nico Rosberg in practice: "Qualifying between me and Nico will be as tight as it always is."

Image source, Lotus F1

Five drivers dipped below 1:30 in the second practice session, while Toro Rosso rookie Carlos Sainz Jr got plenty of time out on the circuit, getting 73 laps under his belt across the two sessions.

Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer in Melbourne

"Mercedes are miles ahead. Difficult to call between Ferrari, Williams, Red Bull, bearing in mind usual fuel-load differences of those teams.

"McLaren-Honda, meanwhile... oh dear. Likely to qualify right at the back, Manor permitting."

1) Nico Rosberg 2) Lewis Hamilton 3) Sebastian Vettel 4) Kimi Raikkonen 5) Valtteri Bottas 6) Daniil Kvyat 7) Carlos Sainz Jr 8) Pastor Maldonado 9) Romain Grosjean 10) Nico Hulkenberg

11) Felipe Nasr 12) Sergio Perez 13) Jenson Button 14) Max Verstappen 15) Marcus Eeicsson 16) Kevin Magnussen

Did not take part

17) Daniel Ricciardo 18) Felipe Massa 19) Will Stevens 20) Roberto Merhi

NICO ROSBERG FINISHES FASTEST IN SECOND PRACTICE FOR THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.

The chequered flag is out and the second practice session is over and it looks like Mercedes are picking up where they left off...

Nico Rosberg, whose time of 1:27.697 remains the benchmark, is back in the pits. Is that him done for the session? Nope, he rolls out for one last venture on to the circuit. Less than a minute left.

Williams:, external 27 laps on the board and it's pitstop practice in the final 5 minutes of FP2.

Jenson Button reports a loss of power in the McLaren as heads into the pitlane and that could be him for today with a little over five minutes remaining.

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"The two Mercedes are about eight tenths/ninth tenths of a second on average quicker than the two Ferraris. I would say that Valtteri Bottas in the Williams is pretty nip and tuck with the Ferraris in the long runs.

"It is difficult to see where the Red Bulls are because Daniil Kvyat is the only one on track at the moment and it will not be until tomorrow until we see their potential."

Mercedes:, external Slightly longer runs underway: 7 laps apiece thus far for Lewis Hamilton & Nico Rosberg. Practice pit stops also planned before FP2 ends.

Into the closing stages of second practice and once again it is the Mercedes duo of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton who are leading the way. Just over half a second behind the Mercedes is Sebastian Vettel, with his Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen fourth fastest.

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier we asked you to pick your favourite car from a selection of seven - and the winner is... the 'Shark nose' Ferrari 156. Phil Hill, pictured, drove it to the 1961 F1 drivers' title.

Take a look at the full result to see what percentage of the votes went to which cars.

Carlos Sainz Jr spins the Toro Rosso, going down a small escape road at Turn 15 before recovering and going on his way once again. All good.

Allan McNish
BBC Radio 5 live analyst

"Mercedes are setting into race mode already while everyone else is still fine tuning their cars and getting them used to the track."

A little under 30 minutes left in this session and Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are on to their race simulation.

Kevin Magnussen:, external "The crash was my mistake. Just lost the rear on the entry and unfortunately hit the wall and damaged the left front. Another day tomorrow!"

Jenson Button improves on the soft tyres with a 1:31.428 moving him up from 15th to 13th.