Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two in disrupted Australian GP FP1

Charles Leclerc led a Ferrari one-two ahead of Lewis Hamilton in a disrupted first practice session for the 2026 Australian Grand Prix, with Aston Martin's running almost entirely wiped out by technical issues. Max Verstappen was third fastest for Red Bull in a session interrupted by stoppages and limited running for several teams.

Why it matters:

As the first representative track running of the new F1 season under the latest regulations, FP1 offers an initial, albeit cautious, glimpse into the competitive order. Ferrari's strong start at Albert Park will fuel optimism, while Aston Martin's significant troubles and other team's limited programs highlight the early-season reliability challenges teams are navigating.

The details:

• Ferrari on top: Leclerc set the pace with a 1:20.267, leading teammate Hamilton by nearly half a second. The Scuderia showed strong single-lap performance throughout the hour.
• Red Bull in the mix: Max Verstappen was a close third, just 0.052 seconds behind Hamilton, with Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar an impressive fourth in the second car.
• Aston Martin's nightmare: The team completed only three timed laps total. Fernando Alonso did not leave the garage due to a power unit issue, and Lance Stroll's session was cut short after minimal running.
• Session disruptions: The hour was punctuated by several incidents:
  • Alex Albon's Williams stopped on track with a suspected hydraulic failure, triggering a Virtual Safety Car.
  • Junior driver Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) stopped at the pit exit early on but was returned to the garage.
  • Oscar Piastri reported a temporary loss of power in his McLaren.
• Limited programs: Lando Norris's running in the second McLaren was also curtailed, leaving him near the bottom of the timesheets.
• Promising debuts: Besides Hadjar's strong run, Arvid Lindblad recovered to finish fifth in his first official F1 session, and Gabriel Bortoleto placed ninth for Audi.

What's next:

Teams will analyze the data from this truncated session before the second practice hour later today. The focus will shift to longer runs and race pace, providing a clearer picture of the true pecking order. All eyes will be on Aston Martin to resolve its issues and for Ferrari to see if its promising one-lap speed translates into consistent performance.