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In a thrilling start to the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, McLaren’s Lando Norris topped the first practice session, showcasing his skills and setting the stage for an exciting race weekend. With a time of 1m17.252s, Norris outpaced his competitors, including Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, amidst a session that was marked by two red flag interruptions.
Early dominance by Leclerc and the Red Bulls
The session kicked off with Charles Leclerc establishing an early benchmark of 1m17.880s, leading the pack for the first quarter of the hour. The Red Bull drivers, however, faced some challenges, with Liam Lawson narrowly avoiding disaster by tapping the wall at Turn 9 and Max Verstappen skimming the gravel at Turn 6. These moments of tension set the tone for a session filled with high stakes and fierce competition.
Session interruptions and strategic maneuvers
As the session progressed, a brief halt occurred due to debris on the track, likely from Jack Doohan’s Alpine, which had been involved in dragging gravel onto the circuit. Once the session resumed, Verstappen quickly returned to the track on soft tires, clocking a time of 1m17.696s, momentarily taking the lead. However, the excitement was cut short when Oliver Bearman crashed heavily at Turn 10, prompting another red flag and halting the action.
Norris takes the lead in the final minutes
With just 11 minutes remaining, the session resumed, and the tension was palpable. Norris, eager to make his mark, faced a setback when Yuki Tsunoda inadvertently disrupted his flying lap. Nevertheless, Oscar Piastri, driving for McLaren, managed to secure a commendable third place, just behind Sainz. In the final moments, Norris surged ahead, clinching the top spot with a remarkable lap that highlighted his potential and McLaren’s competitive edge.
The session concluded with Norris firmly in the lead, showcasing not only his driving prowess but also the promising performance of the McLaren team. As the drivers prepare for the upcoming race, fans are left buzzing with excitement, eager to see how this thrilling practice session translates into race day action.