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Qualifying on Saturday is expected to give the first true picture of Formula One’s pacesetters after a rain-marred opening day at Albert Park.
A damp second practice session left a query over the form of all teams ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix but McLaren made the firmest statement.
Jenson Button and teammate Lewis Hamilton finished first and second fastest respectively but both admitted that qualifying would be the truer test.
The Red Bulls struggled to keep pace in the only dry run with Mark Webber fifth and reigning titleholder Sebastian Vettel a shock 11th.
But Daniel Ricciardo made a stunning debut before his home race, forcing his Toro Rosso into a highly creditable seventh place.
His French teammate, Jean-Eric Vergne was more than two seconds slower than the West Australian, finishing 19th on the timesheets.
According to Ricciardo there is still more speed to come from the car and he expects to qualify well.
A heavy downpour and poor vision hindered the second practice session, which was headed by Schumacher’s Mercedes.
Button said he was pleased with his run but felt more pace was available on Saturday.
“Even though it doesn’t mean too much, it’s always nice to start the season with the quickest time of the day,” Button said.
“There are still a few areas where I think we can improve, and we didn’t get as many laps in today as wed have liked, but it’s been a positive day.”
Webber said Red Bull still had adjustments to make.
“We got some dry running at the end of each session, which was good,” Webber said.
“In the end we got what we could out of it, but we still have some work to do.”
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