Max Verstappen Struggles as Shocking Crash Halts Australian GP Pr…..read more
The first day of free practice at the Australian Grand Prix turned out to be more dramatic than anticipated, with multiple incidents shaking up the grid. While much attention was on the performance of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in their first race weekend as teammates, it was Max Verstappen’s struggles and a scary crash involving Ollie Bearman that stole the headlines.
Leclerc Outpaces Hamilton in Early Sessions
Friday’s FP1 and FP2 sessions saw a major shift in the competitive order, as Charles Leclerc got the better of his seven-time world champion teammate, Lewis Hamilton. The Monegasque driver was consistently quicker than Hamilton in both sessions, signaling that he has quickly adapted to his new team environment. While Hamilton showed solid pace, it was clear that Leclerc had the edge heading into the weekend.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s dominance was far from assured, as Max Verstappen had a troubled day on the track. The reigning world champion finished only fifth fastest in FP1 and struggled again in FP2, where he was even outpaced by both Racing Bulls. This performance raised eyebrows, as Red Bull had been expected to maintain their superiority after a dominant 2024 season.
Max Verstappen’s Nightmare Session
Verstappen’s difficult day continued in FP2, where he seemed unable to find the right balance in his Red Bull. His struggles were highlighted as he was beaten not only by Ferrari and McLaren but also by both Racing Bulls, Red Bull’s sister team. While it’s too early to determine if this will carry over into qualifying and the race, it was an unusually poor showing for the Dutch driver.
Verstappen’s lack of pace may be a sign that Red Bull is facing more competition than expected this season, or it could simply be a case of the team holding back their full potential during practice. Regardless, the fact that he failed to impress in both sessions suggests that his weekend might not be as straightforward as many predicted.
Massive Crash Brings FP2 to a Halt
The most shocking moment of the day came during FP2, when Haas driver Ollie Bearman suffered a terrifying crash that resulted in a red flag. The young driver, stepping in for an unwell Nico Hülkenberg, lost control of his car and slammed into the barriers at Albert Park, causing extensive damage to his Haas.
Bearman, who was looking to gain valuable experience during the session, was unable to set a single timed lap before the crash ended his running. The incident raised concerns about track conditions and car stability, as the young Brit struggled to keep his car on the tarmac. Fortunately, Bearman emerged unhurt, but the impact was severe enough to keep him out of the rest of the session.
Red Flag Disrupts Session After Gravel Incident
Adding to the drama, FP2 was red-flagged early on due to a separate issue—several drivers ran wide at Turn 10, kicking up a large amount of gravel onto the track. This posed a significant safety risk, forcing the session to be halted after just 20 minutes. The delay lasted for around five minutes, as marshals worked quickly to clear the track and allow the drivers to continue their programs.
While short red flags during practice are not uncommon, this disruption added to the chaotic nature of the session. It also prevented teams from fully executing their planned runs, leaving some uncertainty about the true pecking order heading into Saturday’s final practice and qualifying sessions.
Carlos Sainz Surprises in Competitive Williams
One of the standout performances of the day came from Carlos Sainz, who impressed in his Williams. The Spaniard’s pace caught many by surprise, as he consistently put in competitive lap times that suggested Williams may be more of a contender than previously thought.
Sainz’s strong showing could indicate that Williams has made significant progress in performance, challenging expectations set after pre-season testing in Bahrain. If his pace holds up in qualifying and the race, Williams could be in for a very positive weekend.
What This Means for the Rest of the Weekend
With practice sessions now complete, all eyes will be on qualifying to see if Red Bull can recover from their uncharacteristically weak showing. Max Verstappen will be eager to put his nightmare Friday behind him, while Ferrari, McLaren, and even Williams will hope to capitalize on any weaknesses.
Meanwhile, the safety of the track and car stability will be key concerns after Bearman’s crash and the gravel incident. If these issues persist, drivers may face even more unpredictable conditions throughout the rest of the weekend.
As the Australian Grand Prix weekend progresses, one thing is certain—this season is shaping up to be far more competitive than anyone expected.
