Piastri Tops Home FP2 as Antonelli Impresses in Melbourne

Oscar Piastri delighted the local crowd by setting the fastest time in second practice for the Australian Grand Prix, with Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli turning heads by slotting into second place. The session provided the first true glimpse of the 2026 pecking order, revealing a tight battle at the front and some surprising early struggles for Red Bull and Aston Martin.

Why it matters:

The first competitive running under the new 2026 regulations is a critical data point for teams and a major signal of early form. A strong showing from McLaren and Mercedes, coupled with Red Bull's apparent difficulties, suggests the competitive hierarchy may be shifting. For Antonelli, an immediate top-three performance validates the hype and puts the grid on notice.

The Details:

• Home Hero Leads: Oscar Piastri’s session-topping time of 1:19.729s gave McLaren an early boost and sent a clear message about their car’s potential on home soil.
• Rookie Sensation: Andrea Kimi Antonelli, in only his second official F1 session, was just over two-tenths off Piastri’s pace, outperforming his experienced teammate George Russell.
• Ferrari in the Mix: Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc placed their Ferraris in fourth and fifth, showing solid one-lap pace and completing high lap counts, indicating a focus on race simulation.
• Red Bull's Quiet Day: Max Verstappen could only manage sixth, over six-tenths back, and completed only 13 laps. Teammate Isack Hadjar was ninth, suggesting the reigning champions have work to do on their new package.
• Session Disruptions: Several drivers had their running curtailed. Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Pierre Gasly (Alpine) completed limited laps, while Aston Martin endured a torrid day with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll at the very bottom of the timesheets.

What’s next:

Teams will now analyze the data overnight to refine their setups for the crucial final practice and qualifying on Saturday. All eyes will be on whether Red Bull can unlock more performance, if Antonelli’s pace is sustainable, and if McLaren can convert their promising Friday speed into a front-row challenge. The true race pace, hinted at in the long runs during FP2, will be fully revealed on Sunday.