Ferrari strong in FP1, McLaren answers in FP2
The 2026 Formula 1 season began in Melbourne with the first two practice sessions at Albert Park. Ferrari started the day strongly, but in the afternoon it was McLaren and Mercedes who moved to the front.
In FP1 it was Charles Leclerc who set the fastest time with Lewis Hamilton close behind, giving Ferrari a one two to open the weekend. Max Verstappen was third while Red Bull team mate Isack Hadjar finished fourth. Rookie Arvid Lindblad impressed with fifth. The session had a few issues across the field. World champion Lando Norris completed only a handful of laps due to a gearbox problem and Aston Martin had a difficult start with Fernando Alonso unable to run.
In FP2 the picture changed slightly. Local driver Oscar Piastri topped the session for McLaren with a lap of 1:19.729, just ahead of the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Ferrari remained competitive with Hamilton fourth and Leclerc fifth, while Verstappen finished sixth after losing some time in the garage with a technical issue. The Swedish heritage Arvid Lindblad again showed solid pace and finished inside the top ten in the second session. The nightmare of Aston Martin also seems to continue. Alonso had almost no running and Stroll completed very few laps, leaving the team at the back of the field at the end of the day. It is still early in the weekend but the first day in Melbourne suggests a close fight between McLaren, Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.
FP1 Results – Australian GP 2026
1. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1:20.267
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.469
3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.522
4. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +0.820
5. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1.046
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) +1.075
7. George Russell (Mercedes) +1.104
8. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +1.109
9. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.429
10. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.702
11. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1.894
12. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +2.056
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +2.346
14. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +2.415
15. Alexander Albon (Williams) +2.863
16. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +3.058
17. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +3.755
18. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +3.768
19. Lando Norris (McLaren) +4.124
20. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) +4.353
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +30.067
FP2 Results – Australian GP 2026
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 1:19.729
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) +0.214
3. George Russell (Mercedes) +0.320
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) +0.321
5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) +0.562
6. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) +0.637
7. Lando Norris (McLaren) +1.065
8. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) +1.193
9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) +1.212
10. Esteban Ocon (Haas) +1.450
11. Oliver Bearman (Haas) +1.597
12. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) +1.622
13. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) +1.629
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) +1.939
15. Alexander Albon (Williams) +2.118
16. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) +2.438
17. Carlos Sainz (Williams) +2.524
18. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) +2.890
19. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) +3.931
20. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) +4.933
21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) +6.087
22. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) No time
Written by: Marco Rimola