Lando Norris topped opening practice for the Australian Grand Prix ahead of Max Verstappen and George Russell.
Norris clocked a lap time of 1:18.564s around the Albert Park circuit in a tricky, closely matched first practice session which saw six drivers finish within a tenth of the McLaren driver’s benchmark.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen ended the first hour of running second fastest, 0.018s adrift of the Briton. George Russell was third fastest for Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc sat fourth for Ferrari ahead of Yuki Tsunoda, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll.
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-120x86.webp)
Carlos Sainz, making his Formula 1 return after missing the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, was eighth fastest ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri who completed the top ten.
Several drivers took trips through the gravel, but Alex Albon was the only driver whose session came to an early end after a heavy shunt at Turn 8 caused considerable damage to his Williams.
[motorsport_result id=’157883′]
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-350x250.webp)
![Franco Colpinto [front] avoided Liam Lawson [back] at the start of the Australian GP](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Franco-Colapinto-F1-Aus-GP-360x180.webp)
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