While both George Russell and rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli showed strong pace on longer runs with the harder C3 and C4 tire compounds, their one-lap pace was off what their rivals showed on Friday. Russell finished FP1 in P7,

George Russell was left baffled by his Mercedes ’ performance after practice at the F1 Australian Grand Prix. Russell was 10th on the timesheet on Friday, with new teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli 16th. The McLarens, the Ferraris and the Racing Bulls locked out the top six in practice to offer a hint about what might come on Saturday.

Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur said he was in "absolutely no doubt" that Lewis Hamilton would be ready "to perform and perform soon" after his star signing finished fifth in practice for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

A racing driver was left stranded on track at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix during the first qualifying session of the season in Melbourne. It was feeder series Formula 3 that took to the track first for qualifying on Friday,