Leclerc Tops Australian GP Practice
Charles Leclerc was fastest in the opening practice session for the Australian Grand Prix, edging out Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Ferrari's early pace could signal a more competitive 2026 season, with Leclerc reasserting himself at the front. McLaren's Oscar Piastri also topped the timesheets on the first day of the F1 season, showing McLaren remains a force.
The opening practice session marked the competitive debut for Formula 1's new-for-2026 machinery, built under a massive regulations reset affecting the chassis, engine, battery, and tires. Charles Leclerc's fastest lap of 1:20.267s was more than three seconds slower than his corresponding time at Albert Park last year, indicating the new cars are initially slower. While Ferrari showcased early strength with a 1-2 finish in the first practice, other teams faced significant teething problems. Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso failed to set a time due to a Honda power unit issue, while reigning champion Lando Norris's session was cut short by a gearbox problem, leaving him 19th. Home favorite Oscar Piastri overcame a power unit calibration issue in the first session to top the timesheets in Practice 2 with a lap of 1:19.729. The McLaren driver's performance came after his team secured back-to-back constructors' championships in 2024 and 2025. The second session proved challenging for others, as Max Verstappen went off-track into the gravel, causing damage to his Red Bull. Mercedes' George Russell also had a minor collision with Racing Bulls rookie Arvid Lindblad in the pit lane. The 2026 season sees the introduction of new teams to the grid. German automotive giant Audi made its official F1 debut, with its drivers finishing ninth and tenth in the first practice session. The American Cadillac brand also entered the sport for the first time. Several rookie drivers got their first official F1 weekend experience, including Red Bull's Isack Hadjar and Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad. Hadjar impressed by finishing fourth in the first practice, just behind his world champion teammate. Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur has emphasized that early performance may not define the season. He predicts a rapid development race, stating that each upgrade package this year could be worth more than the entire performance gain seen throughout the 2025 season.
