Charles Leclerc headed a Ferrari one-two from Lewis Hamilton in the opening hour of practice ahead of this weekend\u2019s Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix.<\/p>\n
Leclerc and Hamilton featured towards the top of the timesheets throughout the session, with Max Verstappen third fastest as Aston Martin logged just three laps across both its cars.<\/p>\n
Charles Leclerc leads Ferrari one-two as Aston Martin complete just three laps<\/p>\n
Want more PlanetF1.com coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google<\/a> for news you can trust.<\/p>\n It was an awkward start to the session, with Aston Martin confirming a power unit issue would prevent Fernando Alonso from taking part, while Oscar Piastri suffered a loss of power and Arvid Lindblad stopped as he exited the pit lane.<\/p>\n The latter two were promptly resolved, Lindblad by virtue of the Virtual Safety Car as marshals wheeled it back into the pits, allowing meaningful running to begin in earnest.<\/p>\n Max Verstappen set the early running but was quickly usurped by Charles Leclerc through the middle part of the session.<\/p>\n Verstappen then logged a 1:20.789s to top proceedings by 0.04s with 15 minutes to go, with Isack Hadjar in the second Red Bull holding third.<\/p>\n Moments later, Lewis Hamilton rose from fourth with a 1:20.736s just before the Virtual Safety Car was deployed when Alex Albon\u2019s Williams suffered an apparent hydraulic failure.<\/p>\n Aston Martin cut its session short; while Alonso never ventured out, Lance Stroll logged only three timed laps \u2013 not of them at racing speed \u2013 before his session was called off.<\/p>\n At McLaren, Lando Norris climbed out of his McLaren midway through the hour, leaving him down the order.<\/p>\n The session ended with Leclerc ultimately besting Hamilton by 0.469s with Verstappen third best less than a tenth slower.<\/p>\n Hadjar was fourth while Lindblad began his F1 career with fifth in the opening practice hour.<\/p>\n Oscar Piastri was sixth fastest with a late lap ahead of George Russell in the leading Mercedes, one place up from Kimi Antonelli. Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg rounded out the Top 10 for Audi.<\/p>\n F1 2026 Results: Australian Grand Prix, Free Practice 1<\/p>\n 1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1:20.267 Read Next: Australian GP: Leclerc tops first F1 2026 practice in Ferrari 1-2 as Norris sidelined<\/a><\/p>\n Want to be the first to know exclusive information from the F1 paddock? Join our broadcast channel on WhatsApp<\/a> to get the scoop on the latest developments from our team of accredited journalists.<\/p>\n
2. Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, 1:20.736
3. Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, 1:20.789
4. Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, 1:21.087
5. Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls, 1:21.313
6. Oscar Piastri, McLaren, 1:21.342
7. George Russell, Mercedes, 1:21.371
8. Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 1:21.376
9. Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi, 1:21.696
10. Nico Hulkenberg, Audi, 1:21.969
11. Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, 1:22.161
12. Carlos Sainz, Williams, 1:22.323
13. Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls, 1:22.613
14. Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, 1:22.682
15. Alex Albon, Williams, 1:23.130
16. Franco Colapinto, Alpine, 1:23.325
17. Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac, 1:24.022
18. Pierre Gasly, Alpine, 1:24.035
19. Lando Norris, McLaren, 1:24.391
20. Sergio Perez, Cadillac, 1:24.620
21. Lance Stroll, Aston Martin, 1:50.334
22. Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin<\/p>\n