Charles Leclerc led the first free practice of the Australian GP, the opening of the 2026 Formula 1 season, in Melbourne. The Ferrari driver was the fastest of the session, followed by Lewis Hamilton in second, securing a Ferrari 1-2, and Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, in third. FP1 marked the beginning of the category’s new technical era, with smaller cars, a new power split between the engine and electrical system, and aerodynamic changes.
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Gabriel Bortoleto finished the practice in ninth position in his season debut with Audi. The Brazilian finished in ninth position.
F1 returns this Friday (6) with FP2 at 2 am, Brasília time. Follow it live and in real-time on F1Mania.net.
Read more 2026 Australian GP: F1 Free Practice 2 live at Albert Park
Check out the full result of FP1 for the 2026 Australian GP:
1) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’20.267 – 32 laps
2) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’20.736 (+0.469) – 29
3) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’20.789 (+0.522) – 27
4) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’21.087 (+0.820) – 23
5) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’21.313 (+1.046) – 22
6) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’21.342 (+1.075) – 20
7) George Russell (Mercedes), 1’21.371 (+1.104) – 26
8) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’21.376 (+1.109) – 23
9) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 1’21.696 (+1.429) – 23
10) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 1’21.969 (+1.702) – 20
11) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’22.161 (+1.894) – 27
12) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), 1’22.323 (+2.056) – 29
13) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’22.613 (+2.346) – 28
14) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’22.682 (+2.415) – 25
15) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’23.130 (+2.863) – 24
16) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’23.325 (+3.058) – 25
17) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’24.022 (+3.755) – 24
18) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’24.035 (+3.768) – 27
19) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’24.391 (+4.124) – 7
20) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’24.620 (+4.353) – 14
21) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’50.334 (+30.067) – 3
22) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/ Honda) no time, 0
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