Charles Leclerc led team-mate Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari 1-2 in the opening practice session for the 2026 Formula 1 curtain-raiser in Melbourne.
The Monegasque’s 1:20.267s was set in the final moments of the session, leaping ahead of the second scarlet Ferrari, with Max Verstappen leading a Red Bull 3-4, with Isack Hadjar three tenths off, the Frenchman suffering an off at Turn 1.
Nico Hulkenberg was the first man out on track, but the first to suffer problems was Oscar Piastri, who radioed in to explain a loss of power.
But it was worse for debutant Arvid Lindblad, whose Racing Bulls crawled to a halt on the pit exit. The Brit was wheeled back to his pit, and subsequently got on track.
Worse still, down at Aston Martin, a power unit issue rendered a total lack of running for Fernando Alonso, the team confirming his non-participation just as the session began.
Verstappen pitted early on after just a handful of laps for a rear suspension change, and when returning to the track, the Dutchman set a series of competitive lap times.
With 20 minutes to go, McLaren confirmed that Lando Norris would not participate any further, opting to investigate a gearbox issue.
Lance Stroll’s session also ended early, predictably, due to another PU issue, confirming a continuation of Aston Martin’s woes.
Alex Albon also found himself in the wars, his Williams pulling off to the side of the road at the exit of Turn 10.
Lindblad recovered brilliantly to scoop fifth place overall, with Piastri also recovering to secure sixth.
The Mercedes pair of George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished seventh and eighth, with the Audis of Gabriel Bortoleto and Hulkenberg rounding up the top 10.
Haas, expected to be one of the strongest of the midfield teams, were 11th and 14th through Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman. Alpine fared less well, with Franco Colapinto 16th with Pierre Gasly 18th, the Argentinian suffering an off into the gravel halfway through.
Carlos Sainz was 12th, with Valtteri Bottas leading the two Cadillacs in 17th place.
READ MORE – F1 2026 Australian Grand Prix – FP1 results
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