Arabic version: تألق لوكلير في التجارب بينما يتبع هاميلتون في جائزة أستراليا الكبرى

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton showcased strong performances in the opening practice of the Australian Grand Prix, securing the first and second fastest times respectively. Leclerc’s late lap placed him 0.469 seconds ahead of Hamilton, who was closely pursued by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

According to BBC News, Verstappen’s new teammate, Isack Hadjar, finished fourth, while 18-year-old Briton Arvid Lindblad made an impressive debut for the Racing Bulls team, placing fifth.

Aston Martin faced significant challenges during the session, with Fernando Alonso unable to participate due to a problem with his Honda power unit. His teammate, Lance Stroll, managed only three laps before encountering engine problems. Team principal Adrian Newey expressed concerns about ongoing vibration issues affecting their performance.

Mercedes, initially considered favorites following pre-season testing, had a subdued session. George Russell finished seventh, struggling with understeer and engine energy deployment. Team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged the difficulties faced but remained optimistic about overcoming the challenges in the following practice sessions.

McLaren’s Lando Norris experienced a challenging session, finishing in 19th place due to gearbox issues. Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez of the new Cadillac team placed 17th and 20th respectively, indicating a tough start for the team in their return to Formula 1.