The wait is finally over as Formula 1 Season 2021 kicked off with the Australian Grand Prix’s first free practice session. The famous Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne drew fans worldwide, as they eagerly awaited to see their favorite drivers take on the track. The season opener FP1 session was packed with action and provided fans with an insight into what’s to come for the rest of the weekend. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at everything that happened in the Australian Grand Prix’s FP1 session and what it means for the race.
The opening practice session at the Australian Grand Prix had its fair share of drama and excitement. Max Verstappen led the session, setting the fastest lap time of 1m18.790s on soft tires. However, he also had a spin-out moment when he lost control of his RB19 on the kerbs at the Turn 4 left-hander. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, also had a spin-out moment, running wide onto the grass at Turn 3.
The session faced interruption twice due to GPS issues and a stoppage when Logan Sargeant’s Williams ground to a halt on the exit of the high-speed Turns 11/12. Despite the interruptions, Lewis Hamilton was able to beat Perez to the second position with a late soft-tyre run of his own for Mercedes. Fernando Alonso came in fourth for Aston Martin, and Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz stood at fifth and sixth positions, respectively.
Lando Norris, who struggled to score points in the first two races of 2023, came in sixth, closely followed by Pierre Gasly, George Russell, and Lance Stroll. Yuki Tsunoda had a close shave when he narrowly avoided hitting the barriers after spinning across the grass on the exit of Turn 1. Kevin Magnussen struggled and ended up as the slowest of all with multiple mistakes at Turn 3 and Turn 10.
Overall, the opening practice session hinted at the intense competition and thrilling performances to come in the Australian Grand Prix.
As the first practice session of the Australian GP drew to a close, it became clear that this race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting of the season. With Hamilton and Verstappen setting the early pace, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top come race day. From the scorching heat to the unexpected technical issues, this race is already shaping up to be an unforgettable one. As we eagerly await the next practice session and, ultimately, the race itself, one thing is certain: the Australian GP promises to be an absolute thriller, and we can’t wait to see what the rest of the weekend has in store.
