Norris sets the pace in first practice session at Australian GP; Albon causes red flag
Lando Norris shone brightly for McLaren during the opening free practice session of the Australian Grand Prix on Friday, pacing ahead of notable figures such as Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell.
The picturesque Albert Park track, under clear and sunny skies, witnessed numerous dramatic moments as the drivers reacquainted themselves with Melbourne's demanding street circuit. The initially dusty surface gradually improved as cars laid more rubber down.
A significant incident occurred roughly 20 minutes from the session's conclusion. Alex Albon misjudged his exit from Turn 7, sending his Williams into the wall across the track. Albon, providing reassurance via the team radio that he was unharmed, saw his car come to rest at Turn 8. The crash caused a red flag due to debris strewn across the track, halting the session for several minutes.
When the session resumed, drivers quickly switched to soft tyres hoping to unseat Norris’ top time. Norris, however, held firm at the pinnacle with a 1m 18.564s lap, narrowly edging out Verstappen by just 0.018s.
Charles Leclerc showcased Ferrari’s potential by securing fourth, with Yuki Tsunoda impressively seizing fifth for Red Bull via a well-timed run on soft tyres. Sergio Perez, in the second Red Bull, finished sixth, just ahead of Lance Stroll's Aston Martin in seventh.
Carlos Sainz returned from his appendicitis-related surgery to claim eighth, clocking in just under a tenth behind teammate Leclerc. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton reported suspected floor damage following an aggressive ride over Turn 10’s kerbs, ending the session in ninth position.
The Turn 9/10 chicane proved challenging, resulting in several incidents: George Russell’s dramatic snap, Valtteri Bottas from Kick Sauber spinning, and Fernando Alonso taking a detour through the gravel.
Read next ❯ Ferrari to reveal Hamilton's debut F1 car on February 19 at MaranelloMax Verstappen also had a late-session scare, pushing the limits at the Turn 9/10 complex and reporting, “I bottomed out quite hard there,” though it seemed to have no significant repercussions.
Local heroes Oscar Piastri and Daniel Ricciardo finished in P10 and P11 for McLaren and Red Bull, respectively. The unfortunate Albon settled for 12th, with Kevin Magnussen leading Haas in 13th and Logan Sargeant placing his Williams in 14th.
Alpine's unspectacular start continued with Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly occupying 15th and 17th spots, interspersed by Nico Hulkenberg’s Haas in 16th, who had a slight altercation with Sainz in the pit lane later.
Fernando Alonso, affected by a floor change, ended the session 18th, while Kick Sauber's Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas rounded out the timing sheets in 19th and 20th respectively.
Teams and drivers now turn their focus to analyzing data and making adjustments ahead of the second practice session.
