Norris fastest, Albon crashes in eventful and close start to practice

Lando Norris was quickest of all in a lively opening practice session in Melbourne interrupted by a heavy crash for Williams’ Alexander Albon.

Championship leader Max Verstappen was second-quickest, with George Russell third for Mercedes and Charles Leclerc fourth for Ferrari.

The fast and dusty Albert Park street circuit proved a major challenge for drivers, several running off around the 14-turn track over the opening hour of running. Verstappen ran wide multiple times at the exit of turn one and turn six, while Lewis Hamilton told his team he may have damaged his floor after a trip through the grass at the first corner.

The high-speed chicane of turns nine and ten caused the most problems. Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas had the most dramatic moment through the 250kph sequence with a 360-degree spin. Fernando Alonso also had a big moment on the exit of the chicane, bouncing over the gravel which required repairs to his floor, while George Russell saved a scary moment on the way into the chicane.

With 20 minutes left in the session, Albon had the most serious incident in the session when he lost control of his Williams over the kerbing at the exit of turn six, bouncing into the wall on the right hand side before a secondary impact to the barrier on the left. Albon climbed out of the car seemingly unhurt, but his FW46 was heavily damaged as a result.

The session resumed with just under ten minutes remaining. Despite his apparent lack of grip, Verstappen improved on his final lap at the chequered flag to get within two-hundredths of a second of Norris’s best time, with the top four all covered by half a tenth.

Yuki Tsunoda was fifth for RB, with Sergio Perez in sixth, Lance Stroll seventh for Aston Martin and Carlos Sainz Jnr ninth in his first session in the Ferrari since undergoing a laparoscopy two weeks ago after suffering appendicitis during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix weekend. Hamilton was ninth for Mercedes, with home town driver Oscar Piastri completing the top ten, complaining Verstappen got in his way during one of his final laps.

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2024 Australian Grand Prix first practice result

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