02:25
A spin for Perez at Turn 4 doesn't help Piastri's effort. The rears of his Cadillac locked on entry and sent him around. Nothing the Mexican veteran could have done there at all.
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
02:23
Green flag running resumes with Albon's car out of the way - top work from the marshals there. Piastri is out there again but with the soft tyres for the first time after his run plan was set back with earlier issues.
02:22
More Aston woe
We'd love to say we're surprised by this news, but Stroll is also out of the session. Aston Martin will already want to put this weekend behind them.
02:20
Albon STOPS
A loss of power steering and complete hydraulic pressure for Albon sees his Williams crawl to a stop. He climbs out of his car and the VSC is called into use again. His car is being pushed to a safe place, but it looks very heavy work.
02:18
A very nice slipstream for Hamilton from Gasly and the Ferrari driver moves to the top of the timing screen. He's fastest by 0.053s.
02:17
There is no more holding back in this session now, as Hamilton and Hadjar both find the gravel and grass run-offs, adding to the visible excitement of the session. Still think there are sandbags on display?
02:12
Norris OUT
World Champion Norris is out of the session McLaren looks into the gearbox complaints that he had earlier in the session. Not the start to the season he would have hoped for.
02:10
Leclerc and Hamilton also fit softs. The former takes to the top, while Hamilton improves to fourth, falling 0.466s shy.
02:08
Soft tyre exploits for the top order now, as Verstappen sets a 1:20.908s to head Hadjar by 0.179s.
02:07
Cars on track. Always a good view. Currently, the Mercedes pairing are fourth and seventh, with Russell the faster of the two.
02:06
"I've lost my mirror!"
No one attempt to pass Perez on his right-hand side. The Cadillac driver reports that he has lost his mirror, and the onboard footage shows the bizarre view of a single-mirrored car. Weight saving to the extreme!
02:04
On Aston watch, Stroll has remained in the garage since his very early timed effort. As we know, Alonso will not feature in the session, and the problems continue to mount for the team.
02:03
Soft Tyres
Russell fits a set of soft tyres, but goes only fifth fastest. He's the first to run the red-walled rubber and Mercedes will certainly have hoped for better from that effort.
02:01
A timings update as FP1 reaches its midpoint:
- Leclerc 1:21.227
- Verstappen +0.176
- Hadjar +0.233
- Hamilton +0.471
- Piastri +1.175
- Antonelli +1.268
- Lawson +1.386
- Russell +1.479
- Ocon +1.567
- Bortoletto +1.575
01:58
Piastri is getting on it in his McLaren now, and sets the fifth fastest time, 1.175s off Leclerc'sd current benchmark. Verstappen and Hadjar complete the top three for Red Bull.
01:56
A first impression of these cars...they look quick. Things may be significantly more complicated inside the cockpit, but they look good from the outside. The proof will come in the racing, but they look a lot faster than the previous generation. There's a lot to be said for smaller and more nimble cars.
01:53
Both McLaren drivers are finally back out on the track. After early issues for both cars, the team will hope for some smoother running from this point.
01:48
And those timings are already out of date, with Leclerc and Hadjar now dipping into the 1:21s.
01:48
15 minutes in
With the times tumbling, here is your top 10 15 minutes into the season:
- Leclerc 1:22.080
- Verstappen +0.225
- Antonelli +0.415
- Hadjar +0.820
- Hamilton +0.952
- Lawson +1.073
- Russell +1.798
- Albon +2.356
- Bearman +2.426
- Ocon +2.773
01:41
Alonso OUT
Yet more bad news for Aston Martin. Alonso will not take part in the session after a potential issue with the Honda power unit has been discovered. Stroll has completed three laps, with his one timed effort 27.414s off the pace.
01:39
Du du du du...
As Russell, Antonelli and Leclerc set early marker laps, Verstappen has smashed the lot of them with a 1:22.9, putting him well over a second clear of the pack.
01:37
Now Norris is back in the pits after reporting "shocking" gear shifts. Away from testing and in the thick of a race weekend, some cracks are beginning to show at McLaren.
01:35
Lindblad stops
Problems for Lindblad too, as he stops in the pit exit slip road. Marshals are on track and are wheeling him back in while Antonelli weaves around the recovery effort to join the track.
Piastri has continued but is still complaining of a problem with the power delivery.
01:34
Piastri: "I've got no power"
Oh no! Piastri is seen driving slowly and he reports that he has no power and no throttle. He'll trundle around to the pits for an early debrief. The VSC is thrown.
01:32
We already have 18 cars on track, including Lance Stroll in the Aston Martin. Neither Cadillac has yet joined the party, with Bottas just climbing into his car.