Max Verstappen had an encouraging final practice session leading up to the qualifying round for the Australian Grand Prix. The four-time world champion from Red Bull finished the session with the third fastest time, behind home favourite Oscar Piastri and Mercedes’ George Russell. Less fortunate were rookie Oliver Bearman (who crashed again) and Liam Lawson, who due to engine problems only managed two laps.
At a temperature of 31.4 degrees, the final free practice session begins at Albert Park. Haas rookie Oliver Bearman is the first to hit the track, but almost immediately goes off again. In his first fast lap, the young Brit causes the first and only red flag situation. A moment of inattention – he runs his left rear wheel through the grass – heading towards turn 11 causes him to shoot straight ahead and hit the wall. The incident visibly irritates the Haas garage. After all, on Friday, Bearman had already had a (severe) crash in FP1 with significant damage to the car.
After the interruption, the session really begins and Max Verstappen quickly posts the fastest time (1.17,632), on softs. Heading into the second half of FP1, Verstappen once again tops the timesheet. With the car in qualifying mode, he achieves a 1.16,646. His time is subsequently improved by George Russell, Alexander Albon, Carlos Sainz, and Lando Norris. But with just over ten minutes left on the clock, Verstappen shows there’s still room for improvement in the RB21. In a flying lap, he achieves a sharp 1.16,002. In the closing stages, only Oscar Piastri in his McLaren manages to go under that: 1.15,921.
Apart from the four top teams, Williams, in particular, is showing its best side. Carlos Sainz Jr and Alexander Albon finish VT3 with the sixth and seventh times respectively. Lando Norris only manages to achieve the tenth time.
Problems for Lawson
The final training session before the qualifying session does not go as smoothly for Liam Lawson. The New Zealander from Red Bull manages only two laps before being called in due to an engine problem.
Noteworthy incidents are otherwise absent. Carlos Sainz in his Williams briefly grazes the wall, but without damage. Jack Doohan (Alpine) takes a short detour through the gravel, but he too escapes unscathed.
Top-10: Piastri, Russell, Verstappen, Leclerc, Antonelli, Sainz, Albon, Hamilton, Tsunoda, and Norris.
The qualifying session begins at 04:00 UTC.
