F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Australian GP: Friday's action in pictures

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From headline lap times to off-track moments, Friday at the Australian Grand Prix delivered plenty of early storylines as the 2026 F1 season finally kicked into gear in Melbourne

Here is our recap in pictures of the day’s action at Albert Park.

Hattie Piastri (AUS) sister of Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team, with fans. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lawrence Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team Investor. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Circuit atmosphere - fans. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Mario Andretti (USA) with the Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Mary Barra (USA) General Motors CEO (Centre) with Mario Andretti (USA) (Right). 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing RB22. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Franco Colapinto (ARG) Alpine F1 Team A526. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Esteban Ocon (FRA) Haas F1 Team VF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Mattia Binotto (ITA) Audi F1 Team Motorsport Chief Operating and Chief Technical Officer. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26 of Fernando Alonso (ESP) worked on by mechanics. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Franco Colapinto (ARG) Alpine F1 Team A526. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA) Audi F1 Team R26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Isack Hadjar (FRA) Red Bull Racing RB22 runs wide. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Dan Towriss (USA) Cadillac F1 Team and TWG Motorsports CEO. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Alexander Albon (THA) Williams F1 Team FW48. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Liam Lawson (NZL) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Charniaux / XPB Imagesmore
Carlos Sainz (ESP) Williams F1 Team FW48. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Liam Lawson (NZL) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Jenson Button (GBR) Sky Sports F1 Presenter / Aston Martin F1 Team Ambassador with Graeme Lowdon (GBR) Cadillac Formula 1 Team, Team Principal. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
(L to R): Rebecca Donaldson (GBR) with Alexandra Leclerc (ITA). 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Valtteri Bottas (FIN) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB22. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Sergio Perez (MEX) Cadillac Formula 1 Team MAC-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Adrian Newey (GBR) Aston Martin F1 Team, Team Principal in the FIA Press Conference. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Price / XPB Imagesmore
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Lance Stroll (CDN) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Arvid Lindblad (GBR) Racing Bulls Formula One Team VCARB 03. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Andrea Kimi Antonelli (ITA) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Charles Leclerc (MON) Scuderia Ferrari SF-26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
Nico Hulkenberg (GER) Audi F1 Team R26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Lando Norris (GBR) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Imagesmore
Oscar Piastri (AUS) McLaren F1 Team MCL40. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
Fernando Alonso (ESP) Aston Martin F1 Team AMR26. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG Formula One Team W17. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Dunbar / XPB Imagesmore
Mario Andretti (USA) Cadillac Formula 1 Team Ambassador. 06.03.2026. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 1, Australian Grand Prix, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia, Practice Day. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Batchelor / XPB Imagesmore

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Michael Delaney

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