05:29
Positive thoughts from Cadillac.
Leclerc, Ferrari, Australian GP, FP1, 2026
© XPB Images
F1 Australian GP Friday as it happened
Live coverage of Friday practice from the 2026 F1 Australian Grand Prix
Key Moments
- FP2 underway after Leclerc topped FP1 from Hamilton in Ferrari 1-2
- Red Bull problem sees Verstappen stuck in the garage
- Aston Martin in strife after battery issues in FP1
- 22 drivers start for first time since 2016
The 2026 Formula season begins on Friday 6 March with the first two practice sessions at the Australian Grand Prix.
This year marks one of the biggest regulation changes in the series for years, as the ground effect cars introduced in 2022 have been replaced with smaller, lighter machines designed to improve on-track action.
The most significant change for the new campaign, however, is to the power unit, which now features a 50/50 split between internal combustion and electrical power. However, this has led to lots of fears about the impact it will have on the spectacle, particularly at Albert Park, where energy management is set to be significant.
Practice on Friday will offer a first look at just how tricky that will be for the drivers.
For the first time since 2016, there will be 22 drivers taking part in an official F1 session, as Cadillac joins the field as the 11th team. The American car giant welcomes Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez back to the grid.
Audi also makes its debut in 2026, as it takes over the old Sauber outfit for its first campaign as a works entry.
Ford makes its return to the grid as engine partner to Red Bull, who debuts its first in-house-built power unit. Honda also has a works engine programme in 2026 with Aston Martin, though its start to life has been this season has been difficult.
After pre-season testing, the pecking order looks to see Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes remain as the leading four teams.
2026 Australian Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1 - 1:30am-2:30am
FP2 - 5am-6am
06 Mar 2026
05:25
Stroll completes his first timed effort of the session - 7.165s off the pace and on the soft tyre. On a positive note, that's significantly faster than his ultimate time in FP1. Small wins.
05:24
Perez was having some significant work on his car at the start of the session and is still yet to be seen. No official work yet on what is taking place, but it's not ideal, one would suggest.
05:19
Lots of work is taking place on Verstappen's car. This doesn't look like it will be a quick fix. He is currently without a time - much like Alonso, who has now returned to the garage.
05:17
If there was any doubt as to whether Hadjar is pushing, he gets completely sideways through the flat-out Turn 5. A new race suit may well be needed after that one!
05:16
Alonso on track
For the first time this weekend, Alonso is on the track. Are rare moment of positivity for Aston Martin this weekend, but how long will it last for?
05:15
Piastri and Antonelli take over at the top. But let's stop this, here comes Fernando Alonso!
05:11
Turning to the times for the first time in this session, Hamilton has just gone fastest with a 1m20.903s effort. Russell is second and Piastri is third, with the top five all setting their times on the hard tyre.
05:10
Speaking of Lindblad, the stewards will look at his moment with Russell in the pit lane after the session. Colapinto has also been noted for his slow moment.
05:09
For Aston Martin, Stroll has returned to the garage, while Alonso is still to turn a lap today.
05:08
Verstappen remains in his Red Bull as it has been lifted onto the dolly wheels and is being dragged back to the garage. It's a very similar scene to that endured by Lindblad in the Racing Bulls earlier today.
05:07
Hard and medium tyres are the order of the day right now, much like the start of FP1.
05:06
Verstappen stops
Verstappen has stopped in the pit lane and needs to be lifted back to the garage. His car is stuck in gear, so pushing that will be very difficult. He is yet to set a time.
05:06
Colapinto is going extremely slowly on the start straight, right on the racing line. Drivers are taking evasive action, but he appears to have regained speed now. A very dangerous moment.
He lost drive and went into neutral through the final corner, but sat on the line. It's hard to see why he didn't pull off the line.
05:03
An odd one, as Russell sits outside his garage as his front wing is changed. Replays show he clipped Lindblad as the Mercedes driver attempted to force his way into the fast lane. The incident has been noted, but it just looks a bit clumsy.
05:01
FP2 gets the green flag
We are go for FP2! Hulkenberg and Norris race out of the pits as the remainder of the field pile out behind them.
04:57
The music has played, and we're ready to go for the second hour of running this weekend. Leclerc and Hamilton topped FP1, followed by the Red Bull pair of Verstappen and Hadjar. Mercedes had Russell 7th and Antonelli 8th, so will hope for improvements.
04:52
Flying under the radar in FP1 was Audi, with both Bortoleto and Hulkenberg making the top 10. They possibly loosened the reins a little more than other teams, but it was an eye-catching result nonetheless. If they can maintain that position by the end of the coming hour, hopes of a points finish will rise.
04:46
The team principal's press conference between sessions saw some damning comments from Aston Martin boss Adrian Newey. On the ground for Crash.net is Adam Cooper, with this update.
04:44
FP2 time
And we're back ahead of FP2. Ferrari led the way from Red Bull in FP1, but will that advantage hold?
03:12
Full Results
Ready to do this all again in a couple of hours? Here is a full rundown of the FP1 results until then!
02:36
Result
Before we take a break, here is your top 10 from the opening session of the 2026 season.
- Leclerc 1:20.267
- Hamilton
- Verstappen
- Hadjar
- Lindblad
- Piastri
- Russell
- Antonelli
- Bortoleto
- Hulkenberg
02:34
In contrast, we now see Alonso on his phone at the rear of the Aston Martin garage. His expectations versus reality for 2026 are very different.
02:33
Chequered Flag
The flag falls on the opening session of 2021 and Ferrari hits a 1-2 with Leclerc setting a last-gasp effort to best team-mate Hamilton.
02:26
Into the last five minutes and Hamilton leads the way still. This session has been a battle between Ferrari and Red Bull, with Mercedes lurking ominously in the background.